A 'Rare' deal for Microsoft Company: Microsoft Product: Rare During its annual XO2 event in Seville, Spain, Microsoft announced that it had acquired long time Nintendo exclusive developer Rare. Under the terms of the deal, Rare, which is best know for multi-million sellers such as Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark, Banjo-Kazooie, and Conker's Bad Fur Day, as well as the recently released Star Fox Adventures on the GC, will being developing content exclusively for the Xbox. Also included in the deal, Rare will keep the rights to franchises such as Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark, and Conker while Nintendo will keep the rights to Donkey Kong and Starfox. According to Chris Stamper, chairman and technical director of Rare, 'Our mission at Rare has always been to make the industry's best games for the widest possible audience. Teaming with Microsoft gives us the best opportunity to accomplish this goal. Microsoft's dedication and commitment to game creators, research and development, and to gaming innovation made them the obvious partner to take Rare into the future.' In a statement from Chief Xbox Officer Robbie Bach stated, 'This partnership significantly broadens our already outstanding portfolio of games that will be available for Xbox. And it also broadens our reach internationally as gamers around the world have demonstrated their fanaticism for what Rare consistently produces.' Rare's first outing on the Xbox will be Kameo, soon to be followed by the highly anticipated sequel to Perfect Dark. The company expects to develop at least five games over the next two years. -Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker Related Links: Rare's Official Website