Following reports cropping up recently, foretelling support from Rare for Nintendo’s DS, we contacted Nintendo Japan for comment.
Although reports from various credible sources have been filed of late, the thought that a wholly-owned Microsoft subsidiary could be signing new development deals with Nintendo seemed somewhat ludicrous.
We received a reply today from Nintendo Japan that reads, “DS is a big hit with developers and many are either already developing games or looking at developing games. However, we are unable to confirm the details, including whether each specific company has entered into an agreement with Nintendo or not.”
This was in answer to our question, “Is Rare developing for the Nintendo DS?” and hardly clarifies the situation.
The chatter stems from comments allegedly made by former Rare/Nintendo liaison officer Ken Lobb, now in the employ of Microsoft Game Studios, who reportedly claimed the outfit has two DS games in development right now. Many readers decided that as Rare has current GBA software in the works, the DS link is entirely plausible.
However, the truth of the matter is that the continued Game Boy Advance support stems from the sale agreement of Rare drawn up between Microsoft and Nintendo which stipulated that certain GBA projects must be completed. It is unlikely that any mention of pre-conception DS was made.
So is Microsoft devoting development time to a new Nintendo platform? Clearly not. It is almost certain that if Lobb did say anything, it was related to the DS.
Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks.
Although reports from various credible sources have been filed of late, the thought that a wholly-owned Microsoft subsidiary could be signing new development deals with Nintendo seemed somewhat ludicrous.
We received a reply today from Nintendo Japan that reads, “DS is a big hit with developers and many are either already developing games or looking at developing games. However, we are unable to confirm the details, including whether each specific company has entered into an agreement with Nintendo or not.”
This was in answer to our question, “Is Rare developing for the Nintendo DS?” and hardly clarifies the situation.
The chatter stems from comments allegedly made by former Rare/Nintendo liaison officer Ken Lobb, now in the employ of Microsoft Game Studios, who reportedly claimed the outfit has two DS games in development right now. Many readers decided that as Rare has current GBA software in the works, the DS link is entirely plausible.
However, the truth of the matter is that the continued Game Boy Advance support stems from the sale agreement of Rare drawn up between Microsoft and Nintendo which stipulated that certain GBA projects must be completed. It is unlikely that any mention of pre-conception DS was made.
So is Microsoft devoting development time to a new Nintendo platform? Clearly not. It is almost certain that if Lobb did say anything, it was related to the DS.
Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks.
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Comments
Joji 25 May 2004 11:59
1/10
The plot thickens like gravy. I'm not really bothered by Rare to be honest. They have had a lack of vision ever since after Goldeneye, and I haven't bought one of there games since.
Should be interesting to see what stuff they put out on Xbox though.
Should be interesting to see what stuff they put out on Xbox though.
Brown Force 25 May 2004 12:50
2/10
Well Rare are one of my favourite Developers. And though lots of people have been critical of them as of late. I think E3 put those doubters down. As Conker: Live and Reloaded looks like it could be one of the best games of the year. And it hasen't yet even released info on some of its huge franchises like Banjo Kazoo 2 and Perfect Dark Zero yet. Which definatly shows Microsoft made a very good move after all.
But I wouldn't mind Rare making games for the DS. In fact I hope they do. They definatly know how to make innovative games and giving them a piece of innovative technology would make some very interesting games. I really don't see why they shouldn't. True Nintendo is in competition with Microsoft but the DS is in a completly different market to Xbox and if Nintendo can over turn PSP, it could in the long be good for Xbox. What better time to catch up with the PS2 than when they are focusing on another market?
But I wouldn't mind Rare making games for the DS. In fact I hope they do. They definatly know how to make innovative games and giving them a piece of innovative technology would make some very interesting games. I really don't see why they shouldn't. True Nintendo is in competition with Microsoft but the DS is in a completly different market to Xbox and if Nintendo can over turn PSP, it could in the long be good for Xbox. What better time to catch up with the PS2 than when they are focusing on another market?
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ohms 25 May 2004 14:59
3/10
Brown Force wrote:
>True Nintendo is in competition with
>Microsoft but the DS is in a completly different
>market to Xbox and if Nintendo can over turn PSP,
>it could in the long be good for Xbox. What
>better time to catch up with the PS2 than when
>they are focusing on another market?
Yaay, we all want Micro$oft to dominate the games industry don't we. It'll be great, just like using Windows.
>True Nintendo is in competition with
>Microsoft but the DS is in a completly different
>market to Xbox and if Nintendo can over turn PSP,
>it could in the long be good for Xbox. What
>better time to catch up with the PS2 than when
>they are focusing on another market?
Yaay, we all want Micro$oft to dominate the games industry don't we. It'll be great, just like using Windows.
Brown Force 25 May 2004 15:53
4/10
Well anythings got to be better than how Sony are currently dominating the market. I personally would like to see an even market.
Though it does grate my nerves when people keep cracking jokes about Microsoft want to monopolise the gaming market when Sony are doing just that right now and have been for years.
Though it does grate my nerves when people keep cracking jokes about Microsoft want to monopolise the gaming market when Sony are doing just that right now and have been for years.
crafty bison 25 May 2004 16:48
5/10
I reckon that the long-running rumours of a partnership between Microsoft and Nintendo could be true...
*dreams of X-Cube*
*dreams of X-Cube*
SPInGSPOnG 25 May 2004 16:51
6/10
Brown Force wrote:
>I think E3 put those doubters down.
>As Conker: Live and Reloaded looks like it could
>be one of the best games of the year.
It looked nallacks. It looked like one of the most exciting (and dangerous) concepts of recent times had been watered down and neutered to make it acceptable to Microsoft and the mummies of Xbox owners. It looked like a piss poor cross between Ratshit and Clank and Rainbow Six.
Anyone who tells you therwise is mistaken, or wasn't there. Also, the pods with Conker Reloaded were hardly the most heavily attended of the show.
Rare is a spent force. Microsoft must be soooo regretting that "investment".
>I think E3 put those doubters down.
>As Conker: Live and Reloaded looks like it could
>be one of the best games of the year.
It looked nallacks. It looked like one of the most exciting (and dangerous) concepts of recent times had been watered down and neutered to make it acceptable to Microsoft and the mummies of Xbox owners. It looked like a piss poor cross between Ratshit and Clank and Rainbow Six.
Anyone who tells you therwise is mistaken, or wasn't there. Also, the pods with Conker Reloaded were hardly the most heavily attended of the show.
Rare is a spent force. Microsoft must be soooo regretting that "investment".
SPInGSPOnG 25 May 2004 16:53
7/10
Brown Force wrote:
>Well anythings got to be better than how Sony are
>currently dominating the market. I personally
>would like to see an even market.
>
>Though it does grate my nerves when people keep
>cracking jokes about Microsoft want to monopolise
>the gaming market when Sony are doing just that
>right now and have been for years.
The comments aren't about Microsoft wanting to dominate the games market, but about them wanting to dominate ANOTHER market, and exploit that domination in ways Sony just never will.
>Well anythings got to be better than how Sony are
>currently dominating the market. I personally
>would like to see an even market.
>
>Though it does grate my nerves when people keep
>cracking jokes about Microsoft want to monopolise
>the gaming market when Sony are doing just that
>right now and have been for years.
The comments aren't about Microsoft wanting to dominate the games market, but about them wanting to dominate ANOTHER market, and exploit that domination in ways Sony just never will.
Pandaman 25 May 2004 20:54
8/10
Oh, how my Grabbed By The Ghoulies DS dreams hang in the wind!
mrnull 26 May 2004 03:35
9/10
I'd like to see some more RARE on a Ninty system! Maybe they could help DK can recover from his traumatic venture into J-POP. More than anything I'd like to see a good RARE fps on the DS, but prior to the split a good portion of their staff went to developer Free Radical (Of TimeSplitters 2 Fame.) Screw Conker. He's losing a lot of edge by going the FPS route.
Of course it'd be cool at the same time if we saw a beef arise like the Big "N" vs. Square smack-talk'n spawned by their back-stabbing SONY alligance. I'm not biased though.
Of course it'd be cool at the same time if we saw a beef arise like the Big "N" vs. Square smack-talk'n spawned by their back-stabbing SONY alligance. I'm not biased though.
mrnull 26 May 2004 06:06
10/10
Damn.. it's official. RARE is currently not working on any DS titles. Microsoft, and it's legions, are reportably focussing all their attention on X-BOX and PC platforms. While RARE's cool with putting out GBA games, they've currently got no DS titles in the works.
Doesn't mean they don't have the dev kits though.
Doesn't mean they don't have the dev kits though.