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Microsoft: We don't "force" Rare to make Kinect games

"Forcing a studio to do something is never a successful equation," Head of Xbox Phil Spencer says.

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Iconic UK studio Rare's most recent projects have been Kinect games like the recently released Kinect Sports Rivals for Xbox One, but Microsoft has never "forced" the company to make games for the camera technology, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer says.

"I've also laughed when people have tried to use the word, what I 'force' them to do. If you're around any independent studio, or like Rare a studio that's independent-minded, you'll know that forcing a studio to do something is never a successful equation," Spencer told OXM.

Spencer went on to say that Rare is, and always has been, free to look at "all kinds of different opportunities" when setting out to make a new game.

Founded in 1985, Rare is a veteran studio responsible for a host of recognizable games, including GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark, and Banjo-Kazooie. Their most recent game, Kinect Sports Rivals, launched last month. So what is the company up to next?

"[Rare has] just come off the successful launch of Kinect Sports Rivals," Spencer said. "I think I've heard a few times from people asking about Rare--they're in the process of evaluating what they want to do next, and we're working closely with them to see what their new project will be."

Microsoft announced this week that Kinect, though it remains a core component of Microsoft's vision for the Xbox One, will no longer be included with every Xbox One starting next month. Spencer argues that dropping Kinect from the Xbox One package will actually lead to greater Kinect sales in the long-run. The new $399 Xbox One launches June 9.

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