In an interview with Newsweek, Peter Moore, the head of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment division, spoke a little about the future of Rare, the highly respected developer (Viva Pinata, Kameo) that's recently been prone to more than a little disappointment (Caught By The Ghoulies, Perfect Dark Zero).

When asked if we should glean anything from the recent departure of Rare's founders (the Stamper brothers) from the renowned firm, Moore responded by saying that: "Chris and Tim have been tremendously loyal to Microsoft since the acquisition of the company. They've been behind everything we continue to do. Certainly Viva Pinata, both of them were instrumental in their own way of getting Viva Pinata up and running."

"Their legacy will live on with Banjo-Kazooie. The time had come after many, many years of service to Rare that the founders move on and do something different," pointed out Moore respectfully. "We wish them nothing but the best. They've put us in great position with Gregg Mayles and Mark Betteridge to come in and step up. Betteridge in particular has been there 19 years, and it's great that we can have somebody with Mark's background in the company be able to step into the shoes. Nothing to be made of it whatsoever."

It is fair to say that Rare has recently failed to mirror the same level of success coupled with Microsoft as it experienced when associated with Nintendo during its phase as game developer on the Nintendo 64. However, a new adventure featuring plundering bear and bird combo Banjo Kazooie is rumoured to be an announcement at this year's cut-down and revamped E3 this summer, perhaps marking a turn up for the books for Rare.
 
We certainly hope so!