This document provides an overview of the video game company RARE and its history from 1982 to present. It discusses how RARE was originally founded as Ultimate Play The Game in the 1980s and created popular games for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum computers. It describes how RARE was later acquired by Microsoft for $375 million and became their flagship developer, known for games like GoldenEye, Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64. The summary notes that while RARE had great success under Microsoft, the original founders eventually stepped back from creative control and formed new companies, though they still live near the original RARE location.

1. Understanding RARE 05 Rocktober 2009

3. To assist you with Assignment 1.1 Recruitment Drive

6. The Spectrum 16k

7. The Spectrum 48k

8. The Spectrum 128kActivity: Discuss some things you might already know about the Sinclair series of computers

9. The Sinclair ZX Spectrum No gaming – just a bit of programming

11. Manic Miner

12. Chucky Egg

13. Horace and the Spiders

14. Horace goes Skiing

15. Frogger

18. One handled business

19. The other enjoyed fast cars and beautiful women!

20. (This was the 80s)Question: How did they manage to do so well in a short space of time? Discuss!

22. In 2002 RARE sold its assets to Microsoft

23. Microsoft paid $375m

24. Microsoft entered into full-time game development (and publishing from this point)

25. Chris & Tim Stamper remained sole-directors until 2007Question: How did Microsoft manage to make money from the purchase of RARE?

27. RARE presents with record profits and introduces the world to Banjo Kazooie, StarFox and Jet Set Gemini, Donkey Kong 64

28. RARE is the and remains the flagship developer for Xbox, Xbox 360Discuss: what does it mean to be a flagship developer?

30. One stayed as a silent partner

31. The other formed new companies

32. Both live within 10 miles of RAREQuestion: Why spill the beans on all the bad stuff too? Discuss other factoids about companies that pertain to company biography

35. Let’s read it together

36. Ask questions