By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Microsoft - Molyneux: "I want to help Rare have more of an identity"

monlosez on 15 June 2009

Molyneux: "I want to help Rare have more of an identity"

Newly appointed creative director of Microsoft Europe, Peter Molyneux, has said that he wants to help internal studios – including Banjo creators Rare – regain a sense of identity within the company.

Molyneux was speaking following his promotion to a role which will see him liaise with all internal and external developers and help them focus on creative and innovative output.

"Actually one of the things I really want to do is help Rare have more of an identity," said Molyneux in an exclusive interview published today. "And make sure the people at Rare are seen more within the industry."

Although one of Microsoft Game Studios most expensive and well-known development teams, Rare has yet to establish a breakout hit for the company in the same league as Bungie's Halo or Lionhead's Fable. The closest the team has come is Viva Piñata, but a number of titles including Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts and Perfect Dark Zero have failed to spark with consumers and achieve significant sales numbers.

And unlike Lionhead or Bungie before it separated from Microsoft, the company is still considered secretive and lacking a public profile.

"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," offered Molyneux. "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 known," he added.

However, Molyneux said that what his new position won't involve is interfering with the creative process and watering down a studio's own distinctive style - "you'll definitely still recognise a Rare game," he said.

The full interview with Peter Molyneux and Microsoft Game Studios general manager Phil Spencer, can be read here.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/molyneux-i-want-to-help-rare-have-more-of-an-identity



Around the Network
megaman79 on 15 June 2009

Less secretive? Does that mean their games will by hyped to the death b4 theyre released.



“When we make some new announcement and if there is no positive initial reaction from the market, I try to think of it as a good sign because that can be interpreted as people reacting to something groundbreaking. ...if the employees were always minding themselves to do whatever the market is requiring at any moment, and if they were always focusing on something we can sell right now for the short term, it would be very limiting. We are trying to think outside the box.” - Satoru Iwata - This is why corporate multinationals will never truly understand, or risk doing, what Nintendo does.

JaggedSac on 15 June 2009

Sounds like they are in a phase of unification. Should be interesting to see how things shape up within the next year.



Soleron on 15 June 2009

They did have an identity. Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark, Goldeneye, Diddy Kong Racing, Donkey Kong Country, Jet Force Gemini... it needed no one else to promote it but its games.

And since the MS buyout... nothing of note. Viva Pinata was the best, but nowhere near as good as before.



S.T.A.G.E. on 15 June 2009

This sounds promising.



Around the Network
megaman79 on 15 June 2009

^ Promising would be leaving them the f---k alone to do their own unique work. You know like real creative freedom instead of MS controlled puppets co directed by Molly.



“When we make some new announcement and if there is no positive initial reaction from the market, I try to think of it as a good sign because that can be interpreted as people reacting to something groundbreaking. ...if the employees were always minding themselves to do whatever the market is requiring at any moment, and if they were always focusing on something we can sell right now for the short term, it would be very limiting. We are trying to think outside the box.” - Satoru Iwata - This is why corporate multinationals will never truly understand, or risk doing, what Nintendo does.

wholikeswood on 15 June 2009

So wait, what? He's just going to trumpet their games in development to the press?



Nightmare24 on 15 June 2009

If they make a real Banjo or new IP they get noticed. I feel the same way to, they arent noticed as much or at all.



thekitchensink on 15 June 2009

I'll tell ya how to help them, Pete: Convince Microsoft to sell them back to Nintendo!

Ah... one can dream



Could I trouble you for some maple syrup to go with the plate of roffles you just served up?

Tag, courtesy of fkusumot: "Why do most of the PS3 fanboys have avatars that looks totally pissed?"
"Ok, girl's trapped in the elevator, and the power's off.  I swear, if a zombie comes around the next corner..."
Grahamhsu on 15 June 2009
megaman79 said:
^ Promising would be leaving them the f---k alone to do their own unique work. You know like real creative freedom instead of MS controlled puppets co directed by Molly.

Wait wasn't that the reason they left Nintendo in the first place -_- Star Fox Adventures guys.




-=Dew the disco dancing fo da Unco Graham=-