Stamper Bros Quit Rare
Two decades after forming the studio, the brothers have called it quits at the now-Microsoft-owned company.
Microsoft has taken a lot of heat for its purchase of UK-based developer Rare just over four years ago. The company spent $375 million to bring the previously Nintendo-loyal creator of such hits as Donkey Kong Country and GoldenEye to its side, but the years have gone by without a major success. This week Microsoft said that Chris and Tim Stamper, two of Rare's founders, had left the company.
Chris Stamper
"Chris and Tim have helped shape Rare into the world-renowned development studio that is it today and their impact on the videogame industry as a whole is well known," reads a statement from Microsoft reported at 1Up. "They are simply leaving to pursue other opportunities and we wish them luck in their future endeavours."
In the four years that Rare has been under Microsoft's wing, the company has pumped out a string of games that suffered development turmoil, most of which switched platforms along the way - sometimes more than once.
Tim Stamper
Rare played a big part in the launch of the Xbox 360 with shooter Perfect Dark Zero. Most recently the company put out the kid-friendly Viva Piñata for the system, but despite praise from a once-sceptical critical audience the game got lost in the Christmas shuffle and suffered poor sales.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare