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Posted on: Dec 08, 2008
Inside Rare
WORDS BY: Kieron Gillen
The Family Business
And there’s a nagging doubt that the diminished sales may be partially due to different audiences. Rare’s belief in a friendly exterior that hides hardcore depth may be more convincing on a Nintendo machine, where years of Miyamoto games have indoctrinated the fanbase to that approach. “There’s definitely a lot of people who’ve said that if [Rare’s post-2002 output] was released on a different platform than it was, it would’ve been received a lot better than it has been,” says Fileccia. “Maybe. It’s true, we have been maligned, but whether that’s unfair or not, I can’t really comment.” And as to whether Rare has lost its magic touch? “Well, it’s up to us to change everyone’s opinions again,” offers Price. “Let’s get on with it. Everyone just thinks, ‘Keep our heads down, make great games.’” Internally, they consider Viva Piñata a turning point, noting that for a game that supposedly “hasn’t sold well,” it shows up as having been played on 1 million Xbox Live accounts.
More gorgeous, creativity-stoking scenery at Rare.
But through all the belief, there’s a sense — weighted by their lack of a blockbuster — that the studio may be out of time. Not losing a race against deadlines, but stuck in another era, away from the current trends in popular gaming. “Maybe we’re the vanguard,” suggests Justin Cook, lead designer of Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise. “That might be true,” offers Bryan. “I think we want gaming to be broader and bigger. You can’t do that by telling other people that and then making shooters and mature titles. That we’ve slipped into the genre thing is a lapse, and we need to drag it back.”
“In effect, it’s an investment,” explains Cook. “We’re trying to make more games for more people. If you’re looking at it coldly, the bigger the audience, the more likely we are to sell more games. But I personally just think there’s a lot more that games can offer that we haven’t really touched upon. When we have more people interested, it won’t be so bad taking a risk on a game style that isn’t popular, as there might be enough people to support it. And you can’t ask people to do that — you have to set an example.”
PREV
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 00:53
Posted by MeLikeGames
I think what Rare needs to do is make another Conker game. The xbox audience is full of a lot more mature gamers and a Conker game would be perfect. Viva Pinata was enthralling when I played the demo, but I had other games I had just bought. I own Banjo 3 now and love it. I play it as much as I play Gears 2 or Halo 3. Rare created some of my favorite games for the N64 and They're still making good games. They just need something like Conkers BFD to throw them back in the mix.
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 12:15
Posted by cart00nstrip
I do agree, however, that someone dropped the ball on the Avatars. The options are pretty miserable - I mean, why can't I have that tee in a different color? Like, one I actually wear? Why is it the girls get one set of clothes, and the guys the other? Why can't both sexes have access to ALL the clothes? Think of all the craziness and zaniness that could ensue! And why give us elfin ears if we can't have green skin? Why tease us with all these different options, but then restrict our choices? That can be said about the entire NXE, however...
gt: cart00nstrip
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 12:04
Posted by cart00nstrip
First of all: ReignN - VP: TIP is remarkable because it manages to fix most of the negative issues people had with VP. Sure it's "more of the same", but that's pretty befitting of the "god-sim" genre. It's still just as fun, just as addicting as the original. I say you can't have too much of a good thing. And when it comes to hard-core gaming - have you tried Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts yet? There is a truly fascinating amount of depth and innovation in there. I've logged a good 20 hours on the thing, and STILL feel like I've only scratched the surface. I mean, c'mon, who would've thought a smash-up between cute for kids platforming and gearhead racing could be a good idea? Throw in a smattering of Zelda and GTA, all sprinkled with Rare's trademark humor, and you've got a lot of entertainment for your 40 bucks. The game has some issues, but nothing that kills the experience. Especially since this is the first game I've ever played that actually makes piloting a helicopter FUN! Something GTA couldn't even do! Not to mention the outright beauty of the jaw-droppingly imaginative surroundings. And the customizability of the vehicles is astounding. In short, if you pass up these games, you simply deny yourself a crap-load of fun! Seriously, do yourself a favor and pick-up B-K:N&B, you'll be glad you did.
gt: cart00nstrip
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 03:20
Posted by ReignINblooD420
Okay I have 1000/1000 on Viva Pinata but i would never spend that much time on the sequel, Viva Pinata: T.I.P. mainly for its lack of innovation. Why would i want to play the same game basically with a few new pinatas? I played the britches off Kameo but probably wouldn't bother picking up a sequel to that either unless its was vastly innovated.
The handling of the avatars by rare... not so good in my opinion. they all look metrosexual and preppy. Rare needs to learn to include the gamers in their plan. Lord knows weve tried to include them in ours.
If they want to make family oriented games, fine. But how bought making family oriented games that even a hardcore gamer couldnt resist. And how bout some ninjas and cyborgs and barbarians in the avatar selection?? innovate. How about allowing us to unlock clothing for our avatars from our favorite games by reaching a thousand points. you know like master chiefs helmet or the claws from ninja gaiden 2... something. c'mon.
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 17:19
Posted by volcane2004
Did you guys see any Killer Instinct while you were there? =)