If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Rare unveils new logo and branding

Veteran UK studio celebrates 25th anniversary with rebranding and new website

British developer Rare is to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a rebranded logo and website, as the company looks to the future and Project Natal.

The new logo has four different variations, with a different shape and colour used for the iconic 'R' symbol in each. The website rebranding is expected to take place in the coming weeks.

Founded in 1985 by brothers Tim and Chris Stamper, as Ultimate Play The Game, the company became one of the most prominent developers of the 8-bit period, known for technically advanced titles such as Sabre Wulf and Knight Lore on the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64.

The company began to create games for the NES in the late '80s, eventually bringing them to the attention of Nintendo - who eventually bought a 49 per cent share in the company.

Following years of hit titles on the SNES and Nintendo 64, including Banjo-Kazooie and GoldenEye 007, both Nintendo and the Stamper brothers sold their stakes in the company to Microsoft in 2002.

Subsequently the company's reputation suffered amongst some gamers and the critical and commercial success for titles such as Perfect Dark Zero and Viva Piñata were more mixed.

Rare has not announced a new product since 2008's Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, although it is known to be working on a number of Project Natal titles. The company has also been responsible for the creation of the Xbox 360 Avatars and other behind-the-scenes projects.

"Both Rare and the games industry have seen massive changes over the past 25 years, and right now it feels as if both we and the industry are continuing to evolve at an ever-increasing pace," said head of studio Mark Betteridge.

"With this landmark anniversary coming up, and knowing that we have a really exciting future ahead, we felt now was the time to have a new image more in keeping with an innovative and creative entertainment company which aspires to be around for at least the next 25 years," he added.

Related topics
Author

David Jenkins

Contributor

Comments