David Wise, composer since 1985, leaves Rare
Says that “Rare has changed a great deal”
Recent times and cancellations have shown that all is not well in Rare-land. As if the cancellations of both Perfect Dark 2 and Kameo 2 in favor of Project Natal have shaken the faith of even the most loyal Rare fans, David Wise’s departure from Rare could very well be the killing blow.
Being Rare’s first composer since 1985, Mr. Wise’s resume at Rare is incredibly impressive, due to his early work in games such as Anticipation, to his more recognizable works like Battletoads and the Donkey Kong Country series. From as far as the Music Team’s Tepid Seat back in 2004, we can gather as much to say that if Sabreman Stampede weren’t canceled, we would’ve gotten the opportunity to hear his works in that title.
From his Facebook (courtesy of NeoGAF for reposting it): “I think the business of Rare has changed a great deal, and at the moment there is just not the opportunity to create the soundtracks that Rare were fortunately very famous for.”
It certainly makes sense in a few ways. For starters, Wise’s last work on consoles was 2002’s Star Fox Adventures, with work previously done when it was Dinosaur Planet. After that, Wise revisited his works with the DKC trilogy for the GBA and becoming lead composer for DKC3 GBA’s soundtrack, as well as handling DKR DS’ music. His comment also frighteningly hints at Rare’s as of yet unknown future with Project Natal, what with, as mentioned earlier, sequels to mostly well-known games being canceled for whatever this new direction Rare is focusing on.
Unfortunately, though, this is only the most recent loss of a distinguished employee within the British developer in the recent months.
Back in August, Steve Burke, another prominent Rare musician from Kameo fame, also left the company to take a year’s sabbatical “to go travelling,” according to some Rare sources; no word if the real reason could be or not related with his well known desires to work for the film industry. Burke and Wise’s departures only follow the trade open by Grant Kirkhope a year ago.
Out of the musical department, there has recently been huge losses, with Microsoft’s recent restructuring process affecting several engineers and artists, including Steve Malpass, designer for Banjo-Tooie, Perfect Dark, Ghoulies and Nuts & Bolts. Moreover, some programmers have also left, like veteran Mark Edmonds, one of the remaining members of the original GoldenEye 007 team, who abandoned Rare in late 2008 after 14 years of work at Twycross.
While it’s a shame to see Mr. Wise (as well as the former Rare employees) go, especially if Rare and Wise were ever granted to work on a true Donkey Kong Country sequel, MundoRare wishes Mr Wise’s and all the other former Rare employees the best of luck in finding places that will appreciate their contributions in the video-game industry.
Somehow related news
- Kirkhope’s resignation explanation ()
- ‘Serious Monkey Business’ is available for your listening pleasure ()
- Mumbling bear, blocky bear, cancelled bear… ()
- Composer Grant Kirkhope leaves Rare ()
- Not enough people to improve PDZ content, Mighty Loveday states ()
13 Comments
I think they will start a new company called: “Rareware” or something.
Comment by joe — 16.Nov.09 @ 7:52 am
Ever since Rare was purchased by Microsoft things have gone downhill. Back in the days of the N64 “Banjo – Kazooie” was one of the best platformers around. Look at the 360’s attempt to match that quality…….a game that’s half “Banjo – Kazooie” half “LEGO Racers”……….such a waste.
Comment by David Macphail — 16.Nov.09 @ 2:11 pm
NOT DAVID WISE!!!! God damn it this is awful!!! I wanted to hear his compositions in a new Battletoads!!!!
Comment by Josh — 16.Nov.09 @ 9:45 pm
I agree David. Microsoft is holding Rare back forcing them to work on their shitty projects other than the one fans actually want. The only thing that can save Rare now is if they join Sony if they don’t want to go back to Nintendo. Sony won’t hold them back and might actually allow them to put cheats back in their games.
Comment by Hudson — 17.Nov.09 @ 12:34 am
ohhhhhhhhhhhh I want some good news god dammit!
well aslong as seavor, mayles or loveday don’t quit i’ll be happy.
Yeah I saw that article, I can’t believe this site hasn’t announced it yet.
Comment by saicambanjo — 01.Dec.09 @ 7:11 am
Yeah me ether!
Comment by Billy — 02.Dec.09 @ 5:52 am
This is the end.
Comment by B.O.B. — 18.Dec.09 @ 4:15 am
He’s a genius!
Great composer!!
The future is looking grim for rare. They never should have made the move to microsoft. I never liked the idea back then and I still don’t now!
Comment by Never_Born86 — 17.Aug.10 @ 6:36 pm
wow huge bummer
all the great people who made such good games are leaving. i havent been a huge fan of rare’s recent change of heart.. apparently the workers feel the same way
Comment by billy — 16.Nov.09 @ 1:03 am