Molyneux Wants to Help Rare Find Itself

[Keane Ng]

Molyneux Wants to Help Rare Find Itself

Lionhead boss and Microsoft Game Studios Europe creative director Peter Molyneux thinks Viva Pinata creators Rare have plenty of talent, but they lack something Molyneux himself has in spades: identity.

Now that Peter Molyneux is no longer just the boss of Lionhead Studios but lords over all of Microsoft's European studios as creative director of Microsoft Game Studios Europe, he has the power not just to make games but to influence the way the companies that make them operate. And he wants to start doing that by injecting Rare with a little bit of flavor.

"Actually one of the things I really want to do is help Rare have more of an identity," he told GamesIndustry.biz [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/molyneux-i-want-to-help-rare-have-more-of-an-identity]. "And make sure the people at Rare are seen more within the industry."

The formerly Nintendo-owned Rare may no longer be working under the watchful eyes of that company, but it's retained the reticent nature that it was forced to adopt as one of Nintendo's satellite studios. "I was totally blown away from the amount of talent that there is at Rare, but it's just that they come from a background where Nintendo required them to be this very, very secretive company," Molyneux said. "I just want to give them the confidence to tell the world what they're doing. I hope you're going to see more from Rare and I want to help them get well know."

So is Molyneux going to give the Rare kids a lesson in some of that patented Molyneux charm? Are all Rare employees going to start talking in outrageous hyperboles and promising that the next Viva Pinata will literally change your life? We can't say for sure yet, but at least we know that Rare's games won't change much. "You'll definitely still recognize a Rare game," Molyneux said.


Permalink

 

[Lopunny]

What a self-righteous *mumble mumble mumble* but then again that isn't anything we didn't already know I guess

On a side note, Rare not having a big enough identity? really?

 

[MrBrightside919]

If RARE wants to "find itself", they really need to add Killer Instinct to their games that need to be remade list. Heck, they did it with Banjo and Perfect Dark, why not KI?

 

[pantsoffdanceoff]

Keane I usually know what your avatar is but I have no idea what this turtle cat thing is.

Wow I thought Molyneux would have his ego sated for at least a good few month after showing that crap that can talk to that imaginary kid.

 

[D_987]

I actually agree with Molyneux - it does seem as though Rare's games slip under the radar. As he says they were once required to be a secretive company; in an industry in which success is usually measured by information regarding a game Rare's strategy no longer works. Which is a shame because they have made some unique and frankly excellent games.

 

[Sewblon]

Brace yourselves, he is going to have Rare make Fable 3 and Milo 2 then call them something else.

 

[Meado]

Keane I usually know what your avatar is but I have no idea what this turtle cat thing is.

It's a Cat-Bus. I can't remember what it's from, but it's as insane as it sounds.

 

[MrPop]

I get what he means I suppose about Rare not pushing their new creating forward enough but I wouldn't exactly say that they lack identity. They are one of the best known games developers and are famous for Banjo, Perfect Dark etc. And everyone who's played Donkey Kong 64 must love it. So basically he just wants them to publicise creations more as Rare makes 'em then?

 

[RRilef]

Could Rare just have a bunch of modest employees that would rather make games instead of praising their games? No, they just don't know what they are doing, lets get them to make outrageous promises.

 

[AMCization]

Keane I usually know what your avatar is but I have no idea what this turtle cat thing is.

It's a Cat-Bus. I can't remember what it's from, but it's as insane as it sounds.

My neighbour totoro

Studio ghibli...An awesome film =]

Cat bus ftw

 

[squid5580]

Aaarrgghh! What a big bouncing ball of confusion. On one had I understand games need to be hyped. It is how you sell them. On the other I am in the wait til the game is done before releasing snippets of info on it camp. I am tired of reading how great the hands on was only for the same person say the game sucks ass when the full version comes out. I am sick of hearing about some amazing must have title that is 2 years away from being released. I would much rather hear about a game when it is being slapped onto the dvd. No more heart breaking delays. No more watching my money not collect interest on my preorders at Gamestop.

 

[randommaster]

Keane I usually know what your avatar is but I have no idea what this turtle cat thing is.

It's a Cat-Bus. I can't remember what it's from, but it's as insane as it sounds.

My neighbour totoro

Studio ghibli...An awesome film =]

Cat bus ftw

That studio name is a pain to remember how to spell. Gihbli? Gibli? Giblih? Gisdryu6uilli?

Considering Rare's non-success of Nuts and Bolts, I'd make them deliver a new hit game before I let them talk smack. You don't need a bunch of hype if your game is awesome. If you just run some ads, people will tell other people about the game. You also have to make sure that it's not being released at the same time as a game from a major franchise. I'm looking at you Psychonauts.

 

[scotth266]

Rare doesn't need to "find themselves" : they just need to start making awesome games again.

C'mon Rare... you can do it!

 

[toasterslayer]

i think that they could get a little more promoting in. bungie is an extremely well known company and it only has 2 series in its belt. Rare has made enough to get somewhat of an image.

 

[Noone From Nowhere]

Maybe Rare can return the favor and help Lion Head Studios find itself someday?
Still, a 'Conker's Bad Fur Day' styled game with the ability to choose between good and evil, pure and impure, male and female could be a hoot.
"What? I don't have to urinate on this guy to proceed? How marvelous."

 

[Pendragon9]

Do a little soul searching Rare. Remember the old games that made you what you are now.

 

[Random Argument Man]

Well, I know one thing that would bring Rare back: Goldeneye 2.

 

[plastic_window]

Maybe all this is just Molyneux-talk for "I told them to get Banjo out of the damn car/boat/plane and back onto platforming like a good little bear".

I hope so, at any rate. I'd love to see what Rare could do if they focused on a new platformer title. Banjo? Conker? I don't mind. Hell, you could make a new character if you want to, Rare. I'll still be hyped for the game if it involves platforms and there's a big R in it somewhere.