Rare Gets New Studio Boss

Established Microsoft exec [Scott Henson] takes charge of UK developer as Kinect takes centre stage.

Over his 16 years with Microsoft he has played a significant part in the hardware and software development of Xbox, Xbox Live, Xbox 360 and Kinect and now hopes Rare will lead the way in regard to future motion gaming innovation.

More from Eurogamer:

"Kinect will be a key part of the studio's future," he said. "I'm not suggesting it's going to be exclusive, but it will be the centrepiece of our strategy for sure, because there is a lot of opportunity there."

Rare's impressive back catalogue of franchises includes Kameo: Elements of Power, Killer Instinct, Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark and Viva Piñata – all Microsoft-owned intellectual properties.

In March this year Microsoft released a Perfect Dark remake on Xbox Live Arcade with updated graphics.

Henson suggested downloadable refreshes are most likely - if Rare is to delve into its back catalogue.

Get on it, new boss guy.

Get on it, new boss guy.

waltefmoney

I 2nd this!

New boss? Maybe things will change for the bet-

[QUOTE="shinrabanshou"]

"Kinect will be a key part of the studio's future," he said.

Slashkice

[QUOTE="Slashkice"]

New boss? Maybe things will change for the bet-

[QUOTE="shinrabanshou"]

"Kinect will be a key part of the studio's future," he said.

shutdown_202

Does it reallt take talented devs like Rare to make some dodgy party game? Everyone else seems to be able to make them on a shoe string budget with graduate programmers,designers etc.

MS just love annoying me with ridiculous decisions.

No wait, if Killer Instinct is an MS IP, then where the hell is the XBLA version :x

No wait, if Killer Instinct is an MS IP, then where the hell is the XBLA version :x

vadicta

The Klobb says it's coming..someday.

What are they doing!?

New boss? Maybe things will change for the bet-

[QUOTE="shinrabanshou"]

"Kinect will be a key part of the studio's future," he said.

Slashkice

Rare's been dead ever since Perfect dark 0 came out 5 years ago.Sp4rtan_3

I mean BK could be MS's Mario PD could be the second big FPS of the 360.

MS REALY doesn't know what its doing I swear to god, I mean they have some VERY good IPs that they aren't using them. I mean Crimson Skies, Mech Warrior, Voodoo Vince, PGR, Conker, BK, PD, Shadowrun 2, Lost Odyessy, could be very good. BUT NO MS need to just put money into Halo and gears. MS deserves boot to the face,

they have NO Idea that:

Core gamers would eat thier shoes for a Conker sequel,

That to many Lost Odyssey is the best JRPG this gen,

many Racing Fans believe that PGR is the best arcade racer out there,

That a lot of gamers like BK more than Mario,

That a Shadowrun 2 could be redone so that its awesome for Console Vs PC,

That Kameo could have been thier Legend of Zelda,

That a good PD2 could sell 3 million plus.

NO We Gots TeH Halo and Fable. Seriously MS, I wish people would go to thier Feedback page and just post hundreds of Rants of anger. maybe if thier forums crashed from hate from thier unused potential MS would get of thier butts and use thier IPs Rather than investing 500 million into a motion non-controller.

If they make core game for Kinect will be fine, if they make more Sports and casual tite Rare is dead and should not even be named rare anymoreAbleFa3

BUT NO MS need to just put money into Halo and gears. mayceV

[QUOTE="mayceV"] BUT NO MS need to just put money into Halo and gears. kuraimen

[QUOTE="kuraimen"][QUOTE="mayceV"] BUT NO MS need to just put money into Halo and gears. mayceV

[QUOTE="Sp4rtan_3"]Rare's been dead ever since Perfect dark 0 came out 5 years ago.mayceV

I mean BK could be MS's Mario PD could be the second big FPS of the 360.

MS REALY doesn't know what its doing I swear to god, I mean they have some VERY good IPs that they aren't using them. I mean Crimson Skies, Mech Warrior, Voodoo Vince, PGR, Conker, BK, PD, Shadowrun 2, Lost Odyessy, could be very good. BUT NO MS need to just put money into Halo and gears. MS deserves boot to the face,

they have NO Idea that:

Core gamers would eat thier shoes for a Conker sequel,

That to many Lost Odyssey is the best JRPG this gen,

many Racing Fans believe that PGR is the best arcade racer out there,

That a lot of gamers like BK more than Mario,

That a Shadowrun 2 could be redone so that its awesome for Console Vs PC,

That Kameo could have been thier Legend of Zelda,

That a good PD2 could sell 3 million plus.

NO We Gots TeH Halo and Fable. Seriously MS, I wish people would go to thier Feedback page and just post hundreds of Rants of anger. maybe if thier forums crashed from hate from thier unused potential MS would get of thier butts and use thier IPs Rather than investing 500 million into a motion non-controller.

Hopefully they start making good games again......sigh remembering the good days.

"Kinect will be a key part of the studio's future," he said. "I'm not suggesting it's going to be exclusive, but it will be the centrepiece of our strategy for sure, because there is a lot of opportunity there."

shinrabanshou

I guess this means we won't be seeing Perfect Dark 2 for a while. If M$ doesn't start announcing some non-Kinect based games soon, my 360 is going on Ebay where it belongs. One exclusive game (Gears 3) isn't worth this system taking up space in my living room for another year.

Hopefully they start making good games again......sigh remembering the good days.

ElPadilla

New boss? Maybe things will change for the bet-

[QUOTE="shinrabanshou"]

"Kinect will be a key part of the studio's future," he said.

Slashkice

A full interview was put up on Eurogamer.

Lots of Kinect.

And for those asking for a new Killer Instinct here's an excerpt:

Eurogamer: I was a huge fan of Killer Instinct back in the day. Did you play it?

Scott Henson: I actually never did play Killer Instinct. I know. Ken Lobb [Microsoft Game Studios] would be yelling in my ear right now, 'What are you talking about?' Killer Instinct's one of his favourite games. I know Killer Instinct is very high in the fan list and one we need to continue to keep our eye on.

Eurogamer: What are the chances? Tell me.

Scott Henson: Here's where I say, 'The chances of us innovating and focusing on Kinect are really high.' We will continue to look at things like Killer Instinct.

....so... um...

You are truly the bearer of bad news shin. Whether deliberately or inadvertently :P.

Eurogamer: What are the chances? Tell me.

Scott Henson: Here's where I say, 'The chances of us innovating and focusing on Kinect are really high.' We will continue to look at things like Killer Instinct.

....so... um...

shinrabanshou

... Awwwh crap...:x

Ya, I'm defo selling my 360. I'm just sick of this and I can live without Gears.

To think I was so happy playing Alan Wake. Feels like sooo long ago.

You are truly the bearer of bad news shin. Whether deliberately or inadvertently :P.

Episode_Eve

It's no secret that MS has become heavily focused on Kinect though, it seems Rare will be "the Kinect studio" henceforth at least from the tone of all the PR. £250-350 million well-spent obviously.

[QUOTE="Episode_Eve"]

You are truly the bearer of bad news shin. Whether deliberately or inadvertently :P.

shinrabanshou

It's no secret that MS has become heavily focused on Kinect though, it seems Rare will be "the Kinect studio" henceforth at least from the tone of all the PR. £250-350 million well-spent obviously.

Which is something that really bothers me: Turning RARE into Kinect Zone! :cry:

A full interview was put up on Eurogamer.

Lots of Kinect.

And for those asking for a new Killer Instinct here's an excerpt:

Eurogamer: I was a huge fan of Killer Instinct back in the day. Did you play it?

Scott Henson: I actually never did play Killer Instinct. I know. Ken Lobb [Microsoft Game Studios] would be yelling in my ear right now, 'What are you talking about?' Killer Instinct's one of his favourite games. I know Killer Instinct is very high in the fan list and one we need to continue to keep our eye on.

Eurogamer: What are the chances? Tell me.

Scott Henson: Here's where I say, 'The chances of us innovating and focusing on Kinect are really high.' We will continue to look at things like Killer Instinct.

Translation:Nope. But you can expect some excellent Kinect party games and shovelware :D

....so... um...

shinrabanshou

...

This is disappointing

Does it reallt take talented devs like Rare to make some dodgy party game? Everyone else seems to be able to make them on a shoe string budget with graduate programmers,designers etc.

MS just love annoying me with ridiculous decisions.

-Snooze-

well Rare, Ive supported you for years and even if this isnt your own doing I dont care, I only have one thing left to say to you...

The Fans: Give us Killer Instinct Please!

Rare: Here's some Kinect stuff!

The Fans: Is Killer Instinct in there?

Rare: Nope!

The Fans: :(

The Fans: Give us Killer Instinct Please!

Rare: Here's some Kinect stuff!

The Fans: Is Killer Instinct in there?

Rare: Nope!

The Fans: :(

LegatoSkyheart

The Fans: Give us Killer Instinct Please!

Rare: Here's some Kinect stuff!

The Fans: Is Killer Instinct in there?

Rare: Nope!

The Fans: :(

LegatoSkyheart

Actually if he had said yes to the last question I would be more like this:

:cry:

[QUOTE="LegatoSkyheart"]

The Fans: Give us Killer Instinct Please!

Rare: Here's some Kinect stuff!

The Fans: Is Killer Instinct in there?

Rare: Nope!

The Fans: :(

YuriSH

It was? When? I see nothing.

[QUOTE="YuriSH"][QUOTE="LegatoSkyheart"]

The Fans: Give us Killer Instinct Please!

Rare: Here's some Kinect stuff!

The Fans: Is Killer Instinct in there?

Rare: Nope!

The Fans: :(

LegatoSkyheart

It was? When? I see nothing.

The days of RARE are over.-CheeseEater-

[QUOTE="-CheeseEater-"]The days of RARE are over.WilliamRLBaker

New boss? Maybe things will change for the bet-

[QUOTE="shinrabanshou"]

"Kinect will be a key part of the studio's future," he said.

Slashkice