January 31st, 2012 by Devin Durock

Kirkhope’s newest compositions can be heard in his upcoming game Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning, due for release on February 7th. With that in mind, it’s no surprise to see him in the media limelight more as of late. GSoundtracks has a new interview with him discussing things on the Reckoning soundtrack, how he got into the video game business, Viva Pinata/Banjo-Kazooie, and a variety of other subjects. Click on over for further details.

January 30th, 2012 by Devin Durock

For those of you who don’t know, Fusion: Genesis is an Xbox LIVE Arcade title developed by a newfound games development company named Starfire Studios. This company happens to be comprised of four ex-Rare employees that worked on many of their ‘golden era’ titles, such as the original Banjo-Kazooie. Though he isn’t part of the development, Steve Burke (Kameo: Elements of Power) composed the music for title.

Essentially, the game is a type of space shooting MMO where players take the reigns of various types of spaceships to complete hundreds of different quests. There are different sides to choose from such as a merchant or mercenary and each side has its own unique quests and unfolds in different ways throughout the campaign.

That’s just a bit of an overview on the title. Personally, I haven’t downloaded it as of yet but I do intend to shortly. It’s interesting how with the mass leavings of Rare’s employees over the years has led them all down different roads, but roads they’ve taken to together. Like one big family I guess you’d say. Starfire Studios is but one example of this. So if you’re interested in seeing how some of those ex-Rare staffers are faring today, then give Fusion: Genesis a whirl and experience it for yourself.

January 18th, 2012 by Devin Durock

The demo for Kingdom of Amular: Reckoning is now available for download over Xbox Live. Doing so will net you some free goodies for Mass Effect 3 and even more if you actually icomplete/i the demo.

But what does this have to do with Rare? Well, the music was actually composed by former Rare composer Grant Kirkhope. You know… The guy behind musical scores in Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Donkey Kong 64 to name a few. I played a bit of the demo yesterday afternoon and it definitely has a Banjoish vibe to. Just dont expect anything with cute and googly eyes… Expect the likes of iblood and gore./i Go get em!

January 18th, 2012 by Devin Durock

I guess the world really is going to end this year… we’re updating again! So let’s have at it…

Chris Seavor, the man best known as the lead designer behind the crude, vulgar and hilarious Conker’s Bad Fur Day, has sat down for rather long interview with folks over at Gamikia. There’s a ton of interesting information to be had, including when and how he was hired by his former employers, what led to the development of Conker and what he had in store for its sequel!

Interview here