Microsoft Buys Rare

Phwoar writes "Microsoft have announced their buyout of the games developer Rare. After a $375 million payoff Rare will now produce games solely for the Xbox. After Rare's recent releases for the Nintendo systems bombed, Nintendo decided to sell their 49% stake in the company last week rather than buy the company themselves. Google News has a nice collection of links to articles regarding the announcement." You might be reminded of Microsoft's purchase of Bungie a few years ago.

Comments

If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.

[cloudscout]

It's an old story. Developers aren't exactly flocking to the XBox platform and most that do develop for the Xbox, also develop for the superior PS2 and GameCube platforms.

It's a last-ditch effort by Microsoft to take control of more game developers in an attempt to slow their continued decline in 3rd place.

Re:If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.

[lorien420]

Nintendo's GameCube is superior to the Xbox for many reasons.

Why the xbox fails:

1) Bad controllers RUIN a system

The xbox controller was designed for someone with a hand 2x that of a normal human by someone who feels that a logo should be 30% of the front. The lack of ergonomic design actually makes the beast hurt when I try and play with it. The buttons are very small and hard to reach. Other designs were out there and well tested, there was no need for such a horrid distinction.

2) A lack of games == failed system

The xbox shipped at a loss hoping to recoup the expenses in the number of titles. Without these titles, they can't recoup those expenses.

3) People don't want to pay for functionality already on the box

The xbox ships completely capable of playing dvds, but can't because another piece is required. You have to buy a remote to activate something the hardware can already do, because Microsoft wanted a little extra revenue source.

Why the GameCube doesn't fail:
1) Nintendo is established

We've all played Nintendo systems before. They've been around forever. We know the characters. Mario, Samus Aran, Star Fox: these are all popular names. You can buy a GameCube knowing you will see these titles and continue to enjoy them.

2) A lovely controller

The GameCube controller is a beautiful enhancment on a design that's been working for quite some time. It's small enough for children to hold, but versatile enough for anyone to use. The buttons are well-placed and large.

3) Good gameplay > great graphics

There are many graphics hardware stats placing the xbox above the GameCube, but that doesn't mean much. 3dMark is beautiful, but less fun than Duck Hunt. Gameplay is a hard thing to describe, but it is influenced by everything from controller to game design. Sonic Adventure 2 is just more fun to play than Halo on xbox. You don't spend your time configuring your controller and stretching your hand to move forward. You don't play the entire game the exact same way with only periodic cinematics to break the monotony.

4) Variety of games

The GameCube has many titles for both children and adults. They effectively cater to many gaming genres. Xbox cuts most kids out of the market from hardware design up.

Overall, the GameCube is a much more fun platform. There is variety. The graphics quality is superb, even if it doesn't beat the xbox in a technical sense. Before the xbox I didn't think it was true, but a bad controller can ruin a console.

Re:If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.

[ZaMoose]

I think it was a brilliant feature with a promising future.

Then why did you rip King's X and Van Halen?

Couldn't you find your copy of Hocus Pocus by Focus or that Golden Earring album?

Play with us or I buy j00

[Dylan2000]

This can't be the only way they get games for their console, can it? embrace and extend a can of whoopass on every developer out there? I mean that's the only reason they have Halo, the supposed Killer App for the Xbox, and which won't be released on any other platform until late next year.

Hey guys, how about, if you're going to make a console, make some games yourselves! if I couldn't drive I wouldn't buy a car, you know? (ok if I was billg I could have Lee Iacoca as my chauffeur so not a good example) but Sega, Nintendo, Sony, Atari all made killer games for their systems and maybe Microsoft thought they could just put the system out there and everyone else would make software for it. Then when that didn't pan out so well they said "how are you gentlemen, if you won't develop games for our box we buy j00 and make you do it". followed by "j00 r 0wn3d, all your developer, ha. ha. ha." or something.

I'm just worried there's going to come a point where there's no more developers left to acquire and they're going to have to start buying users too. "you will play Halo now." no, i wanna play GT3. "Here's a hundred bucks. play the damn Xbox!" Awesome way to get market share and if anyone can make it profitable it's Microsoft.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:A few things to set you all straight

[GweeDo]

WOW!!! A whole million? That doesn't even put it in the top five for n64 games. Zelda: OoT sold more than 7 million untils in under seven months! Mario 64 topped the 10 million mark and Mario card hit something like 8-9 million. 1 million is nothing when you are talking about supposedly system moving games. Rares highest selling game for the N64 was diddy kong racing...which was just mario kart with dk characters...wow...that was original of them!