After weeks of rumors, we finally have an official press release to substantiate
the Rare split from Nintendo! While nothing is mentioned as
to who will buy, it has been rumored that a deal has already been struck with
Microsoft. Here’s the most recent ‘official’ press release:

As part of a strategic redirection of its game development investments, Nintendo
announces it has sold its 49 percent ownership position in U.K.-based developer
Rare, Ltd.

“Nintendo had the ability to continue its exclusive relationship with
Rare, but in looking at the company’s recent track record, it became clear that
its value to the future of Nintendo would be limited,” says Peter
MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America.
“In other words, we passed on this opportunity for very good business
reasons.” . . .

In fiscal year 2001, Rare accounted for only 9.5 percent of total Nintendo
software sales worldwide. In fiscal year 2002, that number declined to 1.5 percent.

Nintendo will retain exclusive rights for all original properties and franchises
featured in games developed by Rare, including Donkey Kong®, Diddy Kong®
and Star Fox®.

According to MacDougall, game development is, by nature, dynamic. Relationships
continually change to meet the needs of both manufacturers and publishers. “The
disposition of this investment leaves us in a position to become even more aggressive
in expanding our development capacity, both internally and externally. Aside
from several partnerships already announced over the past year, we are currently
in similar talks with several other prospective partners around the world.”

In the past year, Nintendo has added emphasis on games which offer true innovation
to video game players, and especially those with appeal to older players. Key
current and upcoming NINTENDO GAMECUBEâ„¢ titles include Eternal Darkness:
Sanity’s Requiemâ„¢, Animal Crossingâ„¢, Metroid® Prime, The Legend
of Zelda® and Capcom’s upcoming Resident Evil series exclusively for NINTENDO
GAMECUBE.

“Although we declined the opportunity to continue our exclusive agreement
with Rare, this announcement does not diminish our respect for their work or
the past contributions they have made to Nintendo,” adds MacDougall.

As the worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment,
Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software
for its popular home video game systems. The systems include Game Boy®,
Nintendo® 64, Game Boy Advance and NINTENDO GAMECUBE. Since the release
of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.6
billion video games worldwide, creating enduring industry icons such as Marioâ„¢
and Donkey Kong® and launching such franchises as Zelda™ and Pokemon®.
As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash.,
serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere.

Filed under: News

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