Nintendo still holds legal power over GoldenEye 007
It's something more than just influence, Microsoft says
Here we go again with a newly baked episode of the never-ending but always-interesting GoldenEye XBLA drama. Some weeks ago we published several comments coming from Microsoft about this sensitive topic. You don’t see representatives from gaming companies commenting on unofficial games everyday, and if the unofficial game in question is the epicentre of a licensing conflict between three major developers, the chances of getting a single word equal zero. That’s why we felt both shocked and confused when they told us that “the rights to the title [meaning GoldenEye 007] are shared between Microsoft and Nintendo.” As we said then, we would ask Microsoft again about that part just to make sure we heard well.
And apparently, we did. “We share the rights with Nintendo on the title and they are the ones who have prevented it from happening” is their new and crystal-clear answer, as quoted by Rare’s George Kelion. It is important to note that knowing this, one of the key factors of the equation disappears from it. Of course, we are talking about Activision, the current James Bond licence holders and the ones who, according to the latest versions of the story, would have ultimately killed the GoldenEye XBLA project by keeping the 007 rights away from Microsoft at Nintendo’s request. But if Nintendo does hold some rights over GoldenEye 007 anyway, they obviously didn’t need to press Activision and would have cancelled the project by themselves right away. Just like Microsoft says.
It also means that we are totally screwed this time, since it’s highly unlikely that Nintendo will change their minds in the near or distant future. Before it was just about Activision being brave enough to send them to hell, but now, the ball is completely on Nintendo’s side and there is no way they will play. As long as they make millions with outlandish gymnastic devices and dozens or mediocre games for the casual kingdom, there is no need at all to let other people take advantage of one of the best-selling videogames ever produced, even if its re-release means more money for themselves too.
In the meanwhile, IGN has published an article with the reasons why, according to them, the GoldenEye experience wouldn’t be that good on Xbox 360. Writer Rachel Langdon thinks that the small size of the multiplayer arenas and the lack of a single analog stick control type would turn GoldenEye 007 into some disappointing, aged product and betray its origins. Interesting. Certainly the game experience wouldn’t be exactly the same as back in 1997, that’s why it’s called a remake. But a rather good one, considering that Rare added even more levels for the multiplayer (including the vast Depot, Frigate and Dam from the single player) and brand-new control styles, among which it wouldn’t be surprising to find an old-fashioned one-stick mode stuck in there just for the fan reaction (heck, there were even options to play using two controllers at the same time in the original game).
Langdon also mentions that the dispersion of deathmatch opponents across the globe wouldn’t help to recreate those nostalgic fights between friends in front of the television and next to each other. That’s probably why Rare included the option to play using the split-screen mode even for online matches (so you can see what the other players are doing even if they are in Papua New Guinea). Being not a big fan of the lonely online matches so popular nowadays, I personally agree to some point with that, but what Rare proposes is the closest thing to the old friend gatherings that we can get through online play today.
Some other people that should hold their horses are the Future Publishing group legal representatives and, indirectly, the touchy Xbox World 360 magazine staff. The story goes as follows: last month we were informed that people from that magazine were unhappy with some of our recent articles about their then upcoming GoldenEye special. We decided that it was indeed fair to act friendly since we all support the same cause, plus most of our controversial comments were motivated by official statements that had nothing to do with us. We sent them a conciliatory e-mail and we published a flattering review of their educational GoldenEye report. The answer, just a few days later, was the lack of an answer itself, with the sole exception of a letter from their publisher’s legal department threatening us in order to get the scans of their magazine removed from our site.
Fine, we removed the scans. It was only good for them so fans worldwide could have the chance to read the article. We thought that the goal was to get as many people involved as possible to support their crusade for the sake of GoldenEye. Instead, now people will be able to read our own extensive coverage, which is wider, more accurate, up to date and, on top of that, free.
related news
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- Rare is not revamping its Nintendo catalogue for Xbox 360 ()
Our readers say...
By Sessho
I dont think the game would be such a big fuss …it only was because of the whole “scandal” around the game’s cancellation and the mysterious reasons behind it .
Goldeneye was only a big thing for 64 owners , wich werent that numerous to begin with , and “just” the first decent fps on console .
But right now , even with the sheer power of nostalgia , and even with a make up , it doesnt stand a chance …
Think i’m some rambling fool ? Just remember how poorly its spiritual sequels perfect dark games fared , and ask yourselve if we would even discuss the game , had nintendo not stopped the process ?
By condorstrike
how old are you, because saying n64 owners weren’t that numerous then you probably weren’t alive back then, and if so then why is there a war about probably it; maybe because it’s the best fps ever made, for it’s time and more:). damn this gen of sony-huggers.
By Skizelli
What are you smoking, Sessho? Perfect Dark was a success and has sold $2.5 million copies worldwide. GoldenEye wasn’t just a big thing for N64 owners. It’s GoldenEye that paved the way for the console FPS genre. GoldenEye is a big deal, hence the fuss, and you really show your lack of video game education if you think otherwise.
By Adropacrich2
Perfect Dark on N64 was superb and as equally playable as Goldeneye - more so in a number of ways.Both superb games still to this day and the very reason i have a few N64’s and these two games.A 360 as well.
By Tri-Mister
To be honest with you, I don’t think I will lose sleep over this not coming out on either wii or 360. Some games come and go, we all had a ton of fun with this game but its just easay to just let it die.
To make everyone happy, why don’t they just release a wiiware version and a 360arcade version?
By Angryaztec
Jesus, why are people surprised that Nintendo had rights regarding this game? Didn’t any of you beat Goldeneye 007 and read the credits where it’s beyond obvious that Nintendo staff worked along with Rare to help develop that game?
In fact, you’ll see that with almost every Rare N64 game. That’s one of the reasons their N64 games ruled because Ninty made sure the games were quality titles. Let’s face it, now that they lost that support from Nintendo, they make lackluster games. I can’t think of ANY Rare game that captures my fancy during this last two generation of consoles. And I’m not alone in thinking that… just notice how much face that company has lost within the gaming world. Not the big and respected company it once was.
So my opinion is that Rare should get over remaking/porting old games to new systems and start trying to win it’s spot back to the top.
By The Swedish Ace
I agree with aztec, Rare did make great games with Nintendo. Once Microsoft bought them out, Rare hasn’t been able to repeat history with Microsoft. Nintendo just doesn’t want to share the glory that is Goldeneye with other consoles. Nintendo had a great game, and showing the true colors of a greedy group, only wants the glory for themselves. If Microsoft let Rare remake Goldeneye just for Wii, not 360, it probably would already be out. Besides, Nintendo doesn’t want to make a Rare game remake with only one of the groups that helped gone, it would make the game worse then the original!
Look at Diddy Kong Racing for the DS.
You see my point….
By The BS Police
I really think that Nintendo just screwed up here, they have now shown thatt hey no longer care about the gamers anymore.
Goldeneyes control scheme on the N64 is really not good anymore, especially after Halo 1 perfected the FPS controller for the consoles.
Goldeneye would play perfectly using the Halo control scheme, and unfortinitly Nintedo would rather release mediocre kitty games.
By Angryaztec
Kitty games? Ninty only has released that Nintendogs game with kittens. And it was for the DS.
To be fair, we’ve only read info about this subject from MS. Not a single thing from Nintendo. So it would be acting like morons to pass judgment before we get both sides of the story.
However, we can assume what has prevented GE007 from making it to the new game consoles (360/Wii).
My guess is that Nintendo wants the N64 version (as it was with no changes) on the Virtual Console. Reggie hinted about that quite a while ago. MS wants the game also but have a remake of it for XBLA. The problem is that in order for MS to get the game, they have to PAY Nintendo for using a game that they helped develop with money and staff (again, read GE007’s credits if you have doubts any about that).
Nintendo could be asking for a lot of money or for having the original version on the Virtual Console. And it seems that neither of those options are acceptable to MS. Because they might feel that Nintendo already made back the money they invested in GE007 or they simply don’t want that game on the Wii. A system that will outsell the 360 this summer and will have a hard time catching up with.
That’s how I see it…
By kirbyfizzle
By Tri-Mister
To be honest with you, I don’t think I will lose sleep over this not coming out on either wii or 360. Some games come and go, we all had a ton of fun with this game but its just easay to just let it die.
To make everyone happy, why don’t they just release a wiiware version and a 360arcade version?
———————————
Exactly what i was thinkin, or nintendo could have said we agree if you give us x amount of the profits…. activision would probably still deny it though. Activision is gay. And whoever wrote this article obviously is trying to trash talk nintendos new console.
By Uzoma Peter Lane
Look, ever since Microsoft brought Rare, the company has gone from phenomenal to passe and the reason for that is, Nintendo used to assist them, just like Retro Studios today. GoldenEye is designed for the N64 and Nintendo, and every Wii owner anywhere, wants it for the VC. I hate the FPS genre with passion and I want it. That said, Nintendo is never going to allow Microsoft to profit off of their hard work without paying through the nose. Since they went to all the trouble of proving an FPS could exist on a console, I think they have a point this time. So how about a compromise: Nintendo can release the original via the VC, and a remake via WiiWare and Microsoft gets their Arcade version for a significantly smaller royalty fee.
By Angryaztec
^^^ similar to my points on this matter.
And I agree with the possible solution to this problem.
By Liberance
Just a reminder for you guys.
Back in 2006 there was supposedly a meeting between Nintendo and Microsoft, and Nintendo was offered the option to get Goldeneye for the Virtual Console if they let Microsoft release the remake on Xbox 360.
No agreement was reached.
Oh, and Goldeneye was developed entirely by people at Rare (and not so many of them). Nintendo put the money to get the rights for the Bond license and additional production costs, that was their input.
By Angryaztec
^^^ A rumored meeting that never took place? C’mon. You can do better than that. Like include a link to a reliable source (please not Surfer Girl or some other gossip blog). Otherwise it’s just hearsay and the type of stuff fanboys employ to fuel their crazy theories on this matter. That doesn’t help clear this up either.
“Oh, and Goldeneye was developed entirely by people at Rare (and not so many of them). Nintendo put the money to get the rights for the Bond license and additional production costs, that was their input”
Wrong.
Helping in the development doesn’t stop with the programming. This was true in the case with Nintendo helping out with many RARE games made for the N64. I know this because I bought almost every freakin’ game from them back in the days (I missed playing Blast Corps, something I’m not proud of). And thing is, I didn’t turn off my N64 console after beating a game. Instead I read the credits.
From GE007’s credits:
NOA Treehouse Staff Ken Lobb, Rich Richardson, Henry C. Sterchi, Erich Waas, Armond Williams Jr.
NOA Testing Michael Kelbaugh, Tim Bechtel, David C. Bridgham, Kirk Buchanan, Kyle Carlson, Chris Dolan, Melvin Forrest, Thomas Hertzog, Sam Hosier III, Robert Johnson, Arnold Myers II, Chris Needham, Sara Osborne, Christian Phillips, Edward A. Ridgeway, Benjamin Smith, Sharon Evans, William Giese, Sam Kujath, Jim Holdeman, David Hunziker, The Q Branch XVI
NCL Staff Keisuke Terasaki, Eiji Onozuka, Masashi Goto
Nintendo Producer Kenji Miki
Executive Producer Hiroshi Yamauchi
So much for Ninty’s input being reduced to just buying the 007 license. 
By Liberance
I am the reliable source.
You are posting stuff right now on a website that goes beyond the usual gossip nosense. You can believe whatever you want, but if you do read MundoRare you shouldn’t be that misinformed.
As for the rest, if you take a closer look to those credits you will see that they are producers, PRs, studio managers and… testers.
You must be kidding me if you really think that those people develop games.
Please read the other articles we wrote about the whole Goldeneye issue to understand it better.
By Cira
Liberance, what does that offer made at that meeting matter anyway though? Is anyone here really going to attempt and convince anyone with a HINT of business sense that a VC release of a 5+ year old Goldeneye ROM versus a Goldeneye XBLA version that releases at the same time with online, leader boards, voicechat, DLC, extra maps, updated textures, running at higher resolution, improved controls and with added achievements etc is in ANY way a even trade?
Its not even remotely freaking close. What adult with a hint of how lopsided that really is WOULD consider accepting an offer like that.
By Angryaztec
^^^ The meeting never took place. He speaks of it as it did, though. And then gets the vapors when people question it’s validity.
“As for the rest, if you take a closer look to those credits you will see that they are producers, PRs, studio managers and… testers.
You must be kidding me if you really think that those people develop games”
Pfft, take a closer look? I know who they are, man. LOL
Didn’t you read what I wrote before? The part that read: “Helping in the development doesn’t stop with the programming”. So I was aware that the Ninty staff didn’t developed the game themselves, but they helped RARE deliver a polished product. And that was exactly my point. Everyone from old crouch Yamauchi and Ken Lobb (beloved by RARE) to the testers help it be the great game that it was. Even RARE would admit to that.
And maybe I got the wrong impression, but it seems you speak about the testers as something irrelevant… They’re not irrelevant. Especially the ones that work at NOA and the Super Mario Club in Japan.
There’s a Popular Mechanics episode where they show NOA testers going through N64’s DKR and they found hundreds of bugs and glitches. The game got sent back to RARE and they clean it up. That’s what I meant when I said they help in the development process. And about NOA testers at the Popular Mechanics thing, that is not gossip or something made up either. You can find such episode on DVD. So at least I back what I say with something more than hearsay. 
And lastly, I want to clear up something… when I mentioned “Otherwise it’s just hearsay and the type of stuff fanboys employ to fuel their crazy theories on this matter” I didn’t meant to say that YOU’RE a fanboy. What I meant to say is that someone of your position and/or the fansite takes a rumor and publishes it, it’s the fanboys (usually preteen kids who don’t know any better) who run with it and speak of it as being real. So you gotta be careful about that, IMO.
Sorry if you believed that I was calling you a fanboy. I just got the idea from your reply that maybe that went through your head.
By Liberance
I agree that the deal was anything but fair in terms of the final product each company would be offering at the end. But hey, it’s not their fault if Nintendo’s VC is nothing but a port player compared with XBLA (although I do like Nintendo’s launch policy, with classics from every platform coming every once in a while, when for every real hit on XBLA there are like a thousand cell phone games).
Still, as certain philosopher would say, it’s the best bloody deal the little pricks are going to get. Because anybody who expects Rare to make another remake for Nintendo has to be nuts.
It doesn’t really matter if the game looks better here or there, Microsoft is not going to win this generation just because of a N64 game. Heck, they are not going to win it even if every single PS3 and Wii consoles on the planet explode right now. The thing is that if Goldeneye gets released for both 360 and Wii, everybody wins. Otherwise, everybody loses.
On the other hand, the term “develop” can be understood in many ways. Obviously a lot of people across the globe help during the creation of a game, but at the end the most important job gets done at the developer’s HQ. A game is what it is mostly because of the people working at Rare, Lionhead, Bioware or Capcom, not Microsoft, Nintendo or Sony.
However, if we are talking just about polishing, there is no doubt that this kind of post-production work was better done at Nintendo. But it’s not like if with Microsoft was catastrophic, PDZ aside.
By Angryaztec
You forget that Ninty was responsible for GE007’s much despised delays. One of those delays was due because the big N wanted the game to feature a game option that ended being vital for it’s massive success: the multiplayer option.
Nintendo back then was trying to sell the N64 as a multiplayer console (4 control ports and all that jazz). So therefore, they convinced RARE to include the multiplayer option. Most N64 games tried to exploit that very option.
You’re correct in saying that GE007 development was all RARE and they should take most of the credit. But it would be foolish to consider Ninty’s influence as irrelevant to the end product based on the evidence we have at hand.
Which bring us back as to why there is so much red tape in making that game happen on the new consoles. Simply put, Nintendo wants something back for their efforts. Regardless if some think it would be a piece of cake to simply erase Nintendo staff members from GE007’s credits.
It ain’t that easy…
By The BS Police
I was under the impression that it was Rares idea to create the multiplayer component, not Nintendos.
I do believe I read an article last year that stated that Nintendo was probably getting close to cancelling the game because of the delays, or thats atleast what Rare feared at the time.
Anyways wasn’t part of the original deal for Nintendo to get the revamped Goldeneye aswell?
By Liberance
Nintendo wants Microsoft to fail in order to keep the market for themselves at all costs. Frankly, it is pretty naive to think that they are just fighting to get any kind of creative recognition.
The only people who can possibily seek that are the artists at Rare that have been working on the game for nothing.
And yes, the original Goldeneye was almost cancelled, but since it was looking very good they let them keep working on it. You can find the story of the making of the game as told by Martin Hollis at Zoonami’s website.
By the way, I forgot to mention before that nobody at MundoRare is saying that the meeting between Nintendo and Microsoft actually took place. Please do not put false words in our mouth. We are not the Daily Mail.
We are telling you that some people from the industry say that it did happen.
By The BS Police
Whos to say they are not in talks right now either? S
eeing as how many fans have been campaigning for it’s release and have gotten Microsofts and Rares attention and possibly Nintendos aswell, they could be back at the bargaining table as we speak.
Unfortunitly that may not even be the case aswell.
By Cira
Its not their fault that VC is is for old ports, your right, but what about Wiiware? Was this ever even considered. And sure, we would be crazy to think Rare would develop two games one for 360 and one for the Wii, but is that not the price you pay when the property is jointly owned? Should I be shocked that one side of the equation has interest in making this game but the other does not, and therefore it isn’t going to happen?
Thats the direct effect of the joint ownership. Both sides have to have interest in making it work or it probably wont happen. I find it funny that everyone expects everyone else to be outraged that Nintendo didnt just take the clearly RATTY part of the deal just because their position in this console is supposedly cemented. These are mostly the same people who go on to question the longevity of the Wii and say how it may lose steam in 2009 and be overtaken by the 360 or PS3 as everyone switches to HD Television. Funny how that little point of view just morphs and twists to fit whatever they happen to be arguing at the time.
And where was MS during this btw. Why did they let this turn into a lose lose for gamers. Why not agree to both sides getting an unchanged port of the game with no upgrades rather than letting gamers lose out on the game completely? Or is making compromise only worth talking about when Nintendo isn’t the one doing it?
By Gerardo
I must begin saying I am a HUGE Bond Fan. Seen every movie several times, recognize every actor, etc. GoldenEye happens to be my very favorite movie. And I think GE64 was amazing.
On the other side, I am also a Nintendo fan. I’ve owned every system (except for you know which one) since NES, and I still play many hour a week whenever I can.
That said, I’m not even remotely worried about GE64 being remade/republished in ANY new console. It had its time, and since then there has been a ton of great games, in either FPS’s and other genres. A GE64 remake is in no way a “gift” to us loyal players, but a crude effort to capitalize even more in a genre that is just so stale right now that seemingly only FPS fans are considered real players today.
I’m certainly hoping Activision will make a better job with the Bond franchise than EA did (the games had their moments, unfortunately they were overwhelmed with faults). For me, the only Bond games I’ll probably be looking forward are coming this November, and by no means I’d consider buying a 360 just to play a remade game I liked… about 10 years ago.
By Cira, a standard port will cannot go to the Xbox Live Arcade.
Microsofts golden standart for arcade games is thast thye must atleast support 480p ansd have 200 achievement points, it msut also support custom soundtracks and Xbox Live, a standard port would not work.
Nintendo for all we know was offered the updated version aswell as Rares other Nintendo games, sounds like a good deal to me.
The problem is that Nintendos pride is overclouding their logic iof this is true, the fact is the Wii is only selling becuase it’s dirt cheap, the games are not that good, the online service they offer is crap and again most of the games they offer are rated E for everyone.
If Nintendo does not agree toreleasing Goldeneye anytime soon Microosft should get Rare to bring the original Perfect Dark to the XBLA and to top it all off, cease Rare’s handheld Nintendo development.
By Cira, a standard port cannot go to the Xbox Live Arcade.
Sorry, i amde to amny msitakes on the alst one, i need to repost this.
Microsofts golden standard for arcade games is that they must atleast support 480p and have 200 achievement points, it must also support custom soundtracks and Xbox Live, a standard port would not work.
Nintendo for all we know were offered the updated version aswell as Rares other Nintendo games, sounds like a good deal to me.
The problem is that Nintendos pride is overclouding their logic if this is true, the fact is the Wii is only selling becuase it’s dirt cheap, a motion sensor controller (which isn’t that great),even then the online service they offer is crap and again most of the games they offer are rated E for everyone and most of the games are not that good.
If Nintendo does not agree to releasing Goldeneye anytime soon Microsoft should get Rare to bring the original Perfect Dark to the XBLA and to top it all off, cease Rare’s handheld Nintendo development.
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By Player911
Well we’re not talking about a complete $50 remake retail game… we’re talking about an arcade game for 800 MS Points. Sure it might not be the same experience as on the 64… but for 800 points, it’ll be a must buy.
If Microsoft wants to get a ton of new 360 owners, this is the way to go. Microsoft throws money around for exclusives and such… so do the same here. Hordes of gamers will flood in to get a taste of the classic GoldenEye remake. GoldenEye on Live would be amazing. Just my opinion.