Microsoft's Phil Spencer tells Banjo-Kazooie fans that they are heard
Don't tease me like this, Microsoft
Back in September 2002, Microsoft swooped in and purchased RARE for $375 million. Many were expecting that would mean RARE’s classic stable of franchises would soon see Xbox installments, but those have actually been few and far between. Sadly, that includes a new installment in the Banjo-Kazooie series, which hasn’t been touched since 2008.
If anything, the Banjo-Kazooie flames have been continued to be stoked by Nintendo over the years. A partnership between Microsoft and Nintendo brought the bear and bird to not only Smash Bros. Ultimate, but the Switch Online Expansion Pack as well. It was certainly lovely to see those things happen, but is there any hope for a brand-new entry in the franchise? Microsoft’s Phil Spencer has something to say on the matter.
In an interview with Windows Central, Spencer touched on classic IP that the company now owns the rights to, and what plans they have. While Banjo-Kazooie wasn’t mentioned in the question, Spencer saw fit to bring them up in the response. It’s not a confirmation of a new project in the works, but it’s still nice to know that fan voices are heard. You can see Spencer’s full comments on the topic below.
I’m not one to come in and take a franchise from a team and remove them from the discussion or development process on how something new gets built. I think the original creators, the culture – frankly, some of the lessons we’ve learned from past experiences here are very important. You’ve seen from our history that we haven’t touched every franchise that people would love us to touch – Banjo fans, I hear you. But it is true that, when we find the right team, and the right opportunity, I love going back to revisit stories and characters that we’ve seen previously.
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kuribo
6M agoCould have worked with Playtonic a few years ago, if they would have wanted to work with Microsoft.
Microsoft, well Xbox, really need to do work to improve their public image and also start producing quality titles with all the studios they’ve bought over the last 5+ years. They’re becoming the next EA - where IP goes to die after acquisition.
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