Microsoft has stated that it is still going to support Rare despite the Kinect no longer being mandatorily bundled with the Xbox One, revealing that the developer is currently working on more new games that will be announced in the near future.
The UK developer, most famous for its Banjo-Kazooie games, has been focusing upon developing the Kinect Sports series, with the company’s most recent release being Kinect Sports Rivals. Unfortunately that title suffered poor sales, and as a result a number of layoffs were made at Rare leading many to speculate that the once mighty company may be doomed. Howver, Microsoft Studios Europe chief Phil Harrison has claimed that isn’t the case.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Harrison said: “I’m very happy to go on record to alleviate any of those concerns you might have,” he said. “We are very fortunate in having Rare and Lionhead in the UK as crown jewels of Microsoft Studios.
“Rare is working on a couple of things at the moment, which we will announce at the right time. But I’m really excited by the things they’re doing and I believe you will be as well when you hear about them.
“Rare is an incredible talent and they have some very very ambitious plans for the future and we’re supporting them in every way we can.”
Rare were completely absent from E3 2014, unless you count Conker’s appearance in Project Spark. Which we don’t.
