Rare Marks 40 Years of Innovation with Global Celebrations
This August 4th, renowned British game developer Rare reaches a significant milestone, celebrating its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1985 by brothers Tim and Chris Stamper, who previously established Ultimate Play the Game, Rare has evolved from creating classic cassette-based titles to developing expansive adventures like the popular Sea of Thieves. To honor this four-decade journey, the studio is inviting gamers worldwide to join in a series of special celebrations.
Commemorative Items and Merchandise
The festivities kick off with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the site of Ultimate's original office in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. For online enthusiasts, Rare is rolling out a range of digital and physical tributes. Fans can look forward to new Xbox avatars, a dynamic Xbox theme, and a variety of celebratory merchandise. This includes a special hoodie, a t-shirt featuring a retro Rare logo, a ruby pin from Fangamer, and a custom-designed gamepad from 8BitDo in Rare's signature colors.
Music lovers have something special to anticipate as well: a vinyl collection from iam8bit. This set includes four records featuring soundtracks from classic Rare projects, all presented in the studio's iconic gold and blue logo colors. The album comes with vibrant cover art by Lewy Jones, showcasing a collage of beloved characters, and a full-sized slipcase, priced at $100.
Classic Titles Reimagined for Modern Platforms
For owners of the Evercade handheld system, Rare is preparing the 'Rare Collection 1' – a compilation of 12 classic Rare titles. This collection spans hits from early home computers such as Jetpac, Atic Atac, and Knight Lore, alongside cult console favorites like Battletoads, R.C. Pro-Am, and Conker’s Pocket Tales. Players will enjoy a mix of platformers, racing games, beat 'em ups, and isometric adventures that highlight Rare's early creative output. Pre-orders for this collection begin on September 30th.
Sea of Thieves Joins the Party
The celebrations extend into Rare's flagship title, Sea of Thieves. Starting August 6th, players can enjoy a sale on in-game items inspired by other Rare games. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will receive an exclusive Ruby Emote. On August 14th, a new season, 'Smugglers’ Tide', will launch, bringing with it ruby-themed costumes, Ruby Reaper’s Mark sails, a unique eye patch, and a 'Rare Regalia' set within the seasonal Plunder Pass. Microsoft Rewards users will have the opportunity to exchange points for a Rare Ruby Hat, which will temporarily come bundled with the Ancient Coin Pack. Further community engagement is planned for August 30th with a 'Community Weekend' in Sea of Thieves, featuring Twitch Drops, a community flag, a Paper Cutout emote, the Ruby Legend ship figurehead, and interactive activities like Pop-Up Plunder and photo zones.
Additionally, on August 15th, an updated compilation, 'Rare All-Stars EP', will be released on Spotify, allowing fans to enjoy classic Rare music.
Reflecting on Recent Challenges
While the anniversary is a moment for celebration, it comes amidst some recent difficult news for the British company. In July, the long-in-development fantasy adventure Everwild was reportedly canceled. This occurred against a backdrop of wider restructuring and layoffs within Xbox, which also impacted some Rare employees. Furthermore, Gregg Mayles, a veteran developer who spent over 35 years at the studio and was instrumental in games like Banjo-Kazooie and Sea of Thieves, recently departed Rare.
Despite these challenges, Rare’s 40th anniversary celebrations offer fans a chance to reflect on the studio's rich history and enduring legacy, reminding players of the beloved games that have shaped generations of gamers.
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