The not so secret sequel to Rare’s “Kameo” game has been axed as a result of a project cull initiated by Microsoft.
Several projects, including “Kameo 2”, have been ditched in a bid to make way for more games that will fit in with the upcoming release of Microsoft’s motion – and emotion – sensing Natal device. “A new approach” to achieve a “more efficient and scalable development process) was how Rare described the “company wide restructure” they underwent earlier this year, with a source close to the UK developer having apparently secretly leaked to computerandvideogames.com that that has put paid to the “Kameo” sequel – though disappointing sales of the game for its Xbox 360 release version may have also paid a part in the decision.
Rare is now believed to be “intimately involved” with developing games to go along with the Natal device. Earlier in 2009, Microsoft released a statement saying that “In order to achieve these goals, the company is reviewing the current composition of its development teams and there is the possibility that a small number of current positions could be lost as a result of those changes,” with Rare’s studio manager Mark Betteridge noting “We… have felt a need to restructure our current approach so we can speed development and better manage the scale required to create high quality games.” CVG contacted Microsoft for a response to the leaked info on the cancellation of “Kameo 2”, only to receive the (rather sniffy) reply, “Microsoft does not comment on rumour and speculation.”
