Recently, long running Rare fan site MundoRare announced its closure. This came after a formal request to do a documentary on the developer was rejected as not being “on message.”
"Despite its ambitious scope, we felt it was an irresistible offer," said the site before shutting down for good. "In fact, we are still puzzled over their response. It was a risk-free operation to be carried away with all legal safety measures deemed necessary and full of good intentions. It simply makes no sense. It has changed our perception of Rare forever and leaves us with no other option but to end our support for them."
Today, Rare issued a rather clinical response to the announcement, noticeably avoiding the issue that led to the dispute and closure. "Everyone at Rare was very sorry to hear that MundoRare would be closing," read a statement issued to Eurogamer. "We've appreciated all their support and work over the years. We wish everyone involved with the site all the very best for the future."
5 Comments
July 30, 2010
Wow its always sad to see a respected fansite go down. Rare changed a long time ago.
August 2, 2010
To Rare's PR staff: no guts, no glory.
August 2, 2010
Its pretty f'ed up when a fan site feels like it can hold a gun to a developer's head like this.
Is that acceptable behavior when a fan site decides they want to do some particular project that is intrusive to the developer, and basically threatens the developer with bad press if they don't agree to their request?
I think fans and fan sites can grow an inflated sense of entitlement and I applaud Rare for taking a stand to run their business as they choose to run their business and not be held hostage to the (even well-intentioned) whims of a website.
August 2, 2010
Clearly, it wasn't just the rejection but the way the rejection was handled that miffed MondoRare. interloop make it seem like an "if not, then..." threat by MondoRare, but it sounds like they're just letting off some steam after having their guts ripped out. Perhaps they felt like their position gave them some leverage or rapport with Rare - clearly that wasn't the case.
Rare, essentially, traded some potentially good PR for some unequivocally bad PR. It wasn't a smart move, all around.
August 2, 2010
I don't see what you're seeing Innerloop. After first reading about this here I looked at Mundorare's site to read the whole thing and it seems like there was no real reason for them to keep running a rare fan site because rare wasn't really making any sequels to their past hit games that fans were waiting years for. Then seeing rare developing that Kinect Sport thing it was clear to them that rare was not interested in what fans wanted nor with making good games it seems. Add the whole "not on message" response and that was enough to make a change.
I think the guys at mundorare did the right thing. I support them. Hopefully what they take from this situation is, why it's fine to thank a developer who made a game you like do not go overboard and insert love and adoration into the equation with these companies as they simply see you as a customer, potential customer or dollar sign and that's it.