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Rare was founded in 1982 by brothers Chris and Tim Stamper, and in 2002 the development studio was acquired by Microsoft in a deal worth $377 million. Following the acquisition, Rare’s first release was Grabbed by the Ghoulies, the 2003 Xbox title, and was later followed by the Conker remake, Conker: Live & Reloaded.
More recently, Rare developed the Xbox 360 launch titles Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero, and the critically acclaimed Viva Piñata.
Microsoft has dismissed claims that the Stampers’ departure is related to the commercial failure of the studio’s most recent title, Viva Piñata.
“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,” Microsoft told 1UP. “They are simply leaving to pursue other opportunities and we wish them luck in their future endeavours.“
Taking the place of the Stamper brothers are Rare veterans Mark Betteridge and Gregg Mayles.
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