Microsoft stands firm on "no DS development" line
A provocative comment from a member of Rare's GBA development team has renewed speculation that the developer is considering DS projects, but Microsoft denies that its position has changed.
Microsoft has restated that none of its studios are involved in developing games for the Nintendo DS, after members of Rare's Game Boy Advance development team rekindled speculation that they were considering projects for the handheld.
In a Q&A session with Rare fans, published on the developer's official website sometime in July and unearthed just recently, an unnamed designer on the GBA team responded to a question about the possibility of N64 ports - like first-person shooter Perfect Dark - appearing on the Nintendo DS.
"Sounds cool, but we're not doing any DS games, are we?" he noted, before adding, "Or are we? Or... are we?" [His emphasis.] However, Microsoft has swiftly confirmed that the statement it made at the end of May concerning DS development still stands.
"Microsoft and its studios are focusing all efforts on developing quality games for the Windows and Xbox platforms," the platform holder said at the time. "Neither Microsoft Game Studios or any of its developers are involved in developing games for DS at this time. Rare has developed, and is continuing to develop, Game Boy Advance games. At this time, there are no plans to support the DS."
That response was originally issued after a report surfaced on a US Nintendo fan site suggesting that senior Microsoft executive Ken Lobb had confirmed that Rare was working on the DS platform, and specifically had development kits and two titles already underway.