Rare hiring for "jaw-dropping" physics-driven Kinect project

Rare's posted a bunch of job vacancies for its mysterious new Kinect project.

[SandWitch]

So you will play by moving your jaw?

[Oh_Yeah]

Play the game by moving your jaw? It's probably some type of disguised blow job simulator for girls...good job rare for making a game that will make men around the world happy.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

As long as I can use my controller with this I'm fine with it.

EDIT: It was already rumored that Rare was making a next gen Kinect Game.

[user7693958]

haha

[ShugaCane]

Microsoft, let Rare die in peace instead of sucking their soul dry.

[Good_Guy_Jamal]

Pretty sure the guys at Rare prefer having a job as opposed to going the way of Zipper or Liverpool. I mean if they don't like it, they are free to quit. No?

[ShugaCane]

Are you actually rationalizing what's happening to these people ? You said it yourself, they want a job. Does that mean it's not sad they're forced to make Kinect based games whereas they have the talent to do so much more ? I mean, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Killer Instinct, Conker's Bad Fur Day and now...that ?!

[AusRogo]

Didnt the guys from Liverpool and Zipper just get moved into other studios though?

[ChickeyCantor]

"Does that mean it's not sad they're forced to make Kinect based game"

They apply for the job. No one promised them anything.

[Good_Guy_Jamal]

And so what's your solution? to let them die in peace? So fire them? That's what you're saying is the better option here.
Pick a side and stick to it. You can't say they should be shut down on one post and then go out and say they need a job so they can't quit. It can't work both ways.

Also, they made 5 other non kinect games this generation including a Perfect Dark Zero game so I don't understand what exactly you want Microsoft to have done. Would you have preferred they continue making commercially unsuccessful games only to be shut down ala Liverpool? Is that the ending you wanted for them? At least making kinect games allowed them some degree of success so they can continue working. Kameo, Banjo, Viva Pinata and PDZ didn't pan out so great for them so instead of being shut down they were thrown a lifeline.
And no, Zipper and Liverpool folks weren't all moved to other studios, most of them had to make their own plans forward

[zebramocha]

@sidar they've been making games before Ms made the choice of entering they console business.

@good I don't think their games were unsuccessful this gen,not sure about banjo,but karmic is say they don't have the breathing room to make a variety of games other than kinect stuff.

[GribbleGrunger]

Yes, the Zipper and Liverpool guys just got moved into other studios. This is why every Sony studio has at least 2 departments now ... some 3. It may look smaller at 12 but it's actually more than 24 development teams working for Sony now.

[morganfell]

Having a job is all that matters? really? No, okay no.

When creating games that immerse people and impact them powerfully becomes "just a job" it's time to consider a new line of work.

If you set out to become Michaelangelo only to find yourself painting houses then it is obvious that somewhere along the line you made a bad choice.

[Highlife]

@karmicDemon
You really think that all the talent that made those games are still working at Rare. I am sure most of them have left and moved on. Rare is not what it use to be.

[CGI-Quality]

Some of the things you're posting actually aren't true. Number 1, The Liverpool/Zipper guys were moved to other studios.

Number 2, just because people have jobs at a certain co. doesn't mean they like it (and it's moot anyway, since nobody has a clue about it here).

Interesting that you always attack Sony when they have little or nothing to do with the subject.

Edit: Disagree if you'd like, but hard to argue when you don't have the facts (particularly number 1). ;)

[turnerdc]

Actually, there's nothing that says that the Zipper/Liverpool guys were all moved to other studios. I'm sure some of them did but Sony never specifically mentioned who or how many. These are quotes direct from Sony:

This is in regards to Liverpool:

A Sony spokesperson also said the company will try to relocate those affected to other studios.

"We will be looking to relocate the team members throughout the studios, but unfortunately some redundancies will be necessary and in those cases we will assist staff in any way we can."

Some of the veteran developers from Liverpool formed their own studio (Sawfly Studios):

http://www.vg247.com/2013/0...

This is in regards to Zipper:

Sony tells Vox Games that all 80 employees were impacted by the closure but that the company is trying to find new jobs for them.

"Recruiters and management of all WWSA studios will be in touch with Zipper employees to provide information on open opportunities and we will also be providing outplacement support," a spokesperson said. "To date I do not have information on team members that may be moving to other studios."

The studio housed around eighty employees. It has not yet been revealed how many employees have been moved to another studio or how many were left jobless.

Some of the veteran developers from Zipper formed their own studio (Nobodinos, a casual gaming studio) that is trying to gain funding through Kickstarter:

http://www.joystiq.com/2012...

[Gildarts]

Who said that Microsoft FORCED Rare to make Kinect games?

[BitbyDeath]

RARE said it -

http://n4g.com/news/1065055...

[Walker]

A kinect game based on jaw moving !

[Wizziokid]

You lost me at Kinect project. I miss old Rare

[Veneno]

And xbox defenders keep insisting that a new Killer Instinct is coming from Rare. Never gonna happen unless its a Kinect game.

[XXXL]

It's sad to see what has become of Rare

[whoyouwit04]

What has become of rare? I mean yea they haven't made any core games in a while but the stuff they do make make tons of cash for Microsoft, So whats your problem? you don't have any money invested in this company so there for you have no right to bitch just because the product they do produce doesn't suit you, especially when the product they produce make millions for their parent company. the thing is you just dog them because they are own by Microsoft. To be honest I would love to see rare return to making nothing but core titles but as long as the kinect stuff they make sells for Microsoft there is no need it's just all business. But this is only one title, one title that we haven't even seen a pick from and people are judging it as it is a casual title, hell it could simply be one of those better with kinect titles, bottom line rare is rumored to be working on multiple titles, and some are core titles so wait and see what they have to offer before judging.

[Rainstorm81]

Hmmm as a gamer what do I want.....?

A company that makes great games
Or
A company that makes crappy games that makes the publisher a lot of money

Hmm tough choice.../s

Besides I'm sure Rare last core title was before Kinect, it's gamers like yourself why MS can become more casual oriented. As you said you wish Rare still made Core titles yet you support what has been done to them, because it helps MS bottom line. You say he has no money invested in Rare yet YOU are more concerned about the parent company's profit off of Rares games than the games themselves....you are the one that sounds like a stock holder my friend.

If Sony turned Naughty Dog into a Move/Home developer....I would boycott all Naughty Dog games, not hope they make Sony more money.

[gamejediben]

The only thing "jaw dropping" about Kinect is how much of an utter failure it has been.

Oh and Microsoft treating Rare like a little bitch for so many years is cause for war. You don't force a company with this kinda pedigree to make motion based casual games.

[DarthJay]

Actually, it's been a massive win for Microsoft, which is why they invest in it. Utter failure is the Wonderbook and uDraw. Just because a company has a product that is not geared towards your likes as a gamer, does not make it a failure.

[gamejediben]

How in the blue hell can you consider the Kinect a success? Name 1 game that is worth the extra cost. Just one. There is not a hardcore gamer alive that can.

Kinect is every bit a disaster as the uDraw and Wonderbook and there is no escaping that fact. This actually reminds me of the end of the 16bit generation when Sega was promoting the 32X. What an abysmal, history defining failure that was.

If you haven't got a killer app, your device is a piece of crap. GOOD GAMES: That's all that matters and Kinect doesn't have 'em.

[GuyManDude]

@DarthJay

gamejediben said it was successful, not worthwhile. And he/she is correct, from a sales standpoint Kinect has been successful.

On the software side? I don't think there's a single game worth playing on Kinect. But if people are dumb enough to buy the thing, Microsoft will stick with it.

[DarthJay]

@GuyManDude - the post I responded to stated "The only thing "jaw dropping" about Kinect is how much of an utter failure it has been" and nothing else. In the post I responded to, there is no mention of anything you said. If it was posted somewhere else, I can assure you it was not taken into consideration.

@gamejediben - do you have a Kinect? I do and I have a number of friends that do and while I don't use it much, my friends absolutely adore using it with their kids. It works and in the right setting, it works well. It's not a failure in any way, shape or form. It is highly profitable and there is a huge population of owners that enjoy it. That's all there is to it.

[JeffGUNZ]

@ gamejediben

As of May 30, 2012, Kinect has sold 19 million units. How in your rational is kinect a failure? Dude, we get it. Most gamers on websites like this are not into motion controls. We understand that and that's fine. But you know what, companies don't just focus to please "Gamejediben", they try to make a profile while appealing to multiple target groups. We also have no idea on any solid facts of what the next xbox will be and what games they have in store. Stop jumping to conclusions just because you hate MS and wait till E3 when both consoles show their full hands.

http://bgr.com/2012/05/30/x...

EDIT: @ GuyManDude
What are you talking about, he said, and I quote, "utter failure it has been"

EDIT 2: @ BitbyDeath

Yeah, obviously, just like Move was bundled with PS3's, but you can still buy a 360 slim without kinect bundled. I feel most people who bought the 4GB Kinect 360 are buying it because of the kinect. Not all, but most. Still, 19 million units is highly impressive this late in the generation. This also does not count from june 1 - today.

[BitbyDeath]

MS bundle it with the 360, it doesn't need to sell in the traditional sense to get those numbers.

[Rainstorm81]

Exactly why Move and Kinect sold 15-20 mil respectively......bundles helped push BOTH devices.

Fact is no one here on this site wanted these control schemes so let's not act like either is some great thing for gamers....selling or not

[BitbyDeath]

@JeffGUNZ,

Don't know about the rest of the world but Move does not bundle with the PS3 in Australia.

https://ebgames.com.au/ps3/...

I'd imagine many other places are the same.

[rainslacker]

Hmm...Last I saw, Kinect has sold over 20 million units, making it one of the fastest selling devices of all time. That means that almost 1/3 of all Xbox owners own one. I'm not sure how that's considered a failure.

Hardcore gaming preferences aside, MS obviously has something on their hands which appeal to a lot of people, and no fan boy bickering over motion controls is going to change that. Whether or not the Kinect is good for hardcore gamers is a different debate, but there is no way to call it a failure.

@Darth

I'm sorry...Wonderbook is a failure? You must have sales figures to back that up. Only one I could find was 50K copies sold in Spain. It's currently number 42 on Amazon's best seller list for PS3. Wonderbook is set up to be a success and directly targets a major demographic of game players, and addresses parent perceptions about interactive learning at the same time. It's the perfect formula for success. It also doesn't hurt that Sony has sold over 15 million Move controllers since it's release, giving it a healthy base to sell to, particularly since it's a premiere product to get move with or for.

I do agree with you on uDraw though. That was handled poorly by THQ.

[r21]

Guess it'll be one of nextbox's launch titles. Since, it'll be too late for this gen.

[mcstorm]

I agree yet people seem to think its for this gen Kinect and are jumping all over MS. Wait until MS show off the next Kinect and lets see what the big R give us.

[r21]

Strangely enough, Im looking forward to the next Kinect. If it can at all pull off Leap-type games or increase the accuracy by a tons load from kinect 1, then the xbox next will look even more appealing IMO.

[mcstorm]

I agree. I think MS will look at making Kinect 2 very close to what we saw a few years ago at E3 with PN.

[PFFT]

WOW..........................K inect...............*Shivers*

[Tei777]

Rare hiring for "jaw-dropping" physics-driven Kinect......*stops reading*

Only joking, I think kinect 2 will have a lot of potential, especially when paired with a control. I just hope this isn't their only 720 launch title.

[BigStef71]

Who knows maybe RARE will redeem themselves this gen by making new groundbreaking Ip's and awesome sequels to their old games. We can all dream right?

[sagapo]

I dunno, does anybody still cares about move/kinect games??
Such a waste in my book.

[Old McGroin]

Agreed. It looked fairly jaw dropping in the beginning with that Milo video but even that sort of immersion hasn't happened yet and it's been how many years? Jaw dropping, I'll believe it when I see it.

[DevilishSix]

LOL, jaw dropping, mysterious. Keywords used to make a Kinect title sound great, when we know there will be no awesome Kinect titles.

Please don't feel bad for RARE guys, cause all those awesome innovative developers that worked on KI, PD, Conker, Banjo, etc. are gone. Those teams and staff have slowly left thru the years. Stamper Brothers, Kirkhope, Seaver, Bettenridge, they have moved on. Gamers should move on was well.

Rare isn't going to produce anything close to what a fan, if there still is any, would want. All that is there now is noob developers working on silly Kinect titles.

[DarthJay]

Exactly. If anyone isn't happy making the games they are asked to make, there are plenty of other studios out there. This is a transient industry and people come and go often.

[Gildarts]

Microsoft tried to renew their killer instinct trademark recently but it got denied because of a show that had the same name. Also some job postings said they were hiring for developers who have experience in FPS games.

[tigertron]

Rare, what have you become? :(

[Perjoss]

Record levels of trollage! damn.

[abzdine]

Kinect

[InTheLab]

"Rare hiring for Jaw dropping physics drive"....I'm like..."F*** Yeah"...then read "Kinect project" /facepalm

[aviator189]

Hopefully, it's for kinect 2 on the next xbox.
And they better be making another viva pinata and kameo game.

[XboxInnovation]

Microsoft trying to take things to the next level, Sony trying to fix the last level

[dirigiblebill]

Agreed with general sentiment that Rare should get back to what it does best, but let's not forget that Kinect Sports is excellent. Say what you like about those chaps, but they make consistently good Kinect games and I'm sure they'll continue to do so...

[bunt-custardly]

HOLY CRAP - Blast Corps 2!!!

Physics - Check
RARE - Check
Awesome - Check

Kinect - Fail

Only kidding.

Let's be serious for one moment. Now if Kinect 2 can sort out movement properly and Xbox 720 can allow for next gen graphics instead of the cartoon crap we have now, then Blast Corps 2 could be an amazing game where players mash up cities like they are giant mechs. It's the ultimate physics based game.

[DevilishSix]

I don't see how you think Blast Corps 2 could be an awesome, if they sort out Kinect movement. I see no reason to believe it could be awesome when the folks that came up with Blast Corps and it's ideas no longer work at Rare. Your just wishful thinking.

[baldulf]

Yes Microsoft, keep pushing Kinect.

It would only make it easier to buy a PS4

[JeffGUNZ]

You mean the system which ships with a camera that looks awfully a lot like a kinect with a controller with a motion sensor on it? Yeah. How about we actually hear something more then "We don't respond to speculation or rumors" from Microsoft before we make our decisions, shall we?

[Rainstorm81]

So are we saying that since PS4 ships with a camera they will be more casual centric than gamer friendly?

Since Move and Kinect released a few years back which company brought out several new IPs (not motion related) and who switched 1st party focus to motion gaming

Just because both have the same option doesn't mean both have the same gaming strategy

[JeffGUNZ]

2 Rainstorm81. We are not saying that. We are saying that Sony is also trying to reel in the casual market, just like MS. We also have no idea what Xbox's gaming strategy will be for next gen since they haven't announced anything. Also, the reason MS brought out new IP's for kinect is to support it. It sold well, so of course they are going to make games for it. Since Kinect has been released, they released Halo 4, Gears 3, and Forza. Kinect is not the reason why MS has not had many "hardcore" exclusives in the last 2 years, it's because they are working for launch games for the new Xbox. Again, we have to wait till E3 is over to really see the definite path each Sony and MS plan to take.

[VoiceMale]

there isnt even a cover for the book to be judge and yet the death spell being cast over RARE's game in development...wow.....now if we have more info as in regards to what system its on(xbox 360/xbox durango)or likewise if its kinect or the kinect 2.0 then we would have grounds to cast spells.......heck the kinect 2.0 isnt even exposed of what its capable of and we have comparisons as to move and an unrevealed kinect ....O.O????/ mein u guys are hard core fanatics over here

there is no live and let live.....'if i dont like it, it should be banished from this world'...'Am a gamer and i hate everything that is not what i like'
is it wrong to like kinect?or move?or PS or xbox...rare is what it is,u dont like it then that is fine and all but if i do then y am i the bad guy?well i do and thats that...so u can say goodnight to the bad guy{in my Tony Montana voice}

[MadMen]

Killllllllllllllllllllllller Cooooooooooooooooombo!!!

wait, and I thought we were getting KI

[cleverusername]

:-O

[lovegames718]

The same way Star Wars and Steel Battalion were awesome kinect projects lol Give it up i think the consumers that did buy into the Kinect crap have wizened up by now (even Bigpappy who was infamous for defending Kinect on here) lol

Voicemail.....

You ever heard of basing things off of experience and inferring how things will turn out. You guys kill me with that "you havent seen the game yet blah blah blah" bs. I knew the Wii u wouldnt be this powerful next gen system and a big leap over current gen. Vialaaaa... it turned out it wasnt, not because i saw it ahead of time but because i assumed based off of past exp and inference.

[VoiceMale]

then u sir are misinformed and ur thought process is subjective...making predictions on what is what u consider the past and expecting it to remain the same is called in the english language OPINION BY OBLIGATIONS...its is not factual by any means to say what the outcome is unless it comes to past that the kinect 2.0 and its games for that matter is a failure...so until the reveal my opinion stands and can only be changed by facts and not opinions
edit:My tag is VoiceMale not voicemail,,,,but u could still leave a message

[TheMutator]

ohhh Rare what they done to you? -_-

[baraka007]

I think it's safe to say that microsoft is great and really is helping gaming in general. Whenever MS gets their hands on something it turns out freakin' awesome! Man can't wait to see what they will do next! ")

[headblackman]

some people just don't get it. Microsoft is going to right their wrong with the kinect. we all know that if the first kinect would have done with video games what they had hoped for it to, then it would've been not only a success but a total phenomenon. but the device only gave us 70% of what it was supposed to (but that's the job of a test run/rough draft) and like it or not, but the kinect broke more grounds and records than any device known to man. it outsold the iPhone and went on to be in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest asking device of all time. so yes it wasn't 1to1 with video games (due ton the lack of the dual core CPU's that was originally supposed to had nee in inside of the kinect which in turn forced to have to rely on mostly software and the system CPU's) but I'm certain that Microsoft has gathered all of the necessary info from their first kinect (good as well as bad) and will now implement their full motion controller plan with this next Xbox. I also feel that even with the current kinect that there was a lot that they could have done with the device, but consciously didn't because of how late the device came into the game of the already aged system. I truly believe that everything that was promised in this first kinect will be completely surpassed. mostly because it will be much better and improved in all previously failed areas, but also because people don't really expect much out of it. but this is why Microsoft will still the show (again!!!) I also believe that the current kinect will also be used alongside with the next gen xbox and kinect 2.0 (just a hunch). so in conclusion, if a 70% or lower kinect can break grounds and innovate like it has, just imagine what the real device can do with more voice commands, true 1 to 1 response with all things (especially video games), able to read many more body points, able to view a much larger area, and able to work flawlessly with or without light. just imagine? but for those who choose not to see this vision, will be the very individuals who will feel the biggest brunt of the shock and aw because they don't expect for connect to work.

[nigelp520]

Half the problem is us gamers. We didnt support Rare's Xbox games such as

Grabbed By the Ghoulies
Conkers Live and Reloaded
Perfect Dark Zero
Kameo
Viva Pinata
Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts

So when Kinect Sports is their best selling game on Xbox Microsoft is gonna demand them to make Kinect Titles. Microsoft did buy them for 375 million dollars and they need to make their money back some how

[BanBrother]

I loved Banjo Nuts and Bolts. Sure, it was different from what people would expect, but it was really, really fun IMO. The graphics were quite spectacular, loved the water.

[nigelp520]

Haven't played it yet. It does look fun. Viva Piñata is still a blast to play

[TuxedoMoon]

The word "Kinect" just killed it for me. The rare we all knew and grew up with is long gone. They're simply a shell of their former self. At this point, the Kinect is only good for dancing games. How? I don't know. It can pick up dance moves but now slow motions in a lot of other kinect games. not looking forward to kinect 2.

[DFresh]

F*** Kinect.
Get Rare to make a true new IP using a proper analog controller please.
>.<

[Tzuno]

Put your arse on work to make Killer Instinct 3 and a new 2d donkey kong god damn RARE.

[animegamingnerd]

killer instinct could still happen but a 2d donkey kong you need to ask nintendo for that

[triplev16]

I really hope it's something unique and ultimately "good" but throwing Kinect in there makes me think that I'm going to be using my arms in ways that I find tiring. If it's a game that uses a controller along with Kinect in small doses then fine. But if it's Kinect heavy I really don't want to have to stand up, move my coffee table and make room for the device to work as intended.

Oh well, no use getting worked up about it until we see what it is.

[stage88]

Oh Microsoft....

[arbitor365]

man, the disagree drones are going crazy lately. apparently its blasphemy to criticize the kinect now.

sorry guys, but a kinect-focused 720 is not good news for anyone. xbox fans should be afraid.

[Max-Zorin]

WHY?

[Max-Zorin]

Looks like I'm getting the PS4. Microsoft is treating their customers like Elementary kids.

[KingKevo]

I'm so sorry for what happened to Rare, they were so great once and now they HAVE to do these shitty Kinect games and Viva Pinata... Oh Microsoft what have you done. There was so much potential in that team. It saddens me.

[LAWSON72]

Rare just go dig a hole and bury yourself inside, oh wait ms already did that for you.