Xbox commemorates Rare's four-decade anniversary, despite recent setbacks like the cancellation of Everwild and staff reductions, by introducing a themed hat in Sea of Thieves and a stylish controller.

Xbox commemorates Rare's four-decade anniversary, despite recent setbacks like the cancellation of Everwild and staff reductions, by introducing a themed hat in Sea of Thieves and a stylish controller.

Celebrating Rare's 40th Anniversary: Sea of Thieves, Exclusive Items, and More

Get ready, pirates! The beloved game developer Rare, founded in 1985, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in style. Here's what you need to know:

August 14: A Double Dose of Rare

Mark your calendars for August 14, as two exciting events are set to take place. First, the much-anticipated Sea of Thieves season, Smugglers' Tide, will be released. This new season promises a fresh adventure for all pirate crews.

But that's not all. To commemorate the occasion, a 40th anniversary cosmetics bundle will also be available in the in-game store.

August 5: Exclusive Rare Ruby Emote for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscribers

Starting August 5, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can get their hands on an exclusive Rare Ruby Emote. Don't miss out on this opportunity to add a bit of Rare flair to your gaming experience.

A Timeline of Rare's Legendary Games

Over the years, Rare has created a catalogue of groundbreaking games. From the 8-bit era to the modern age of online gaming, Rare's titles have defined console history. Here are some of their most notable releases:

• Wizards & Warriors (NES) - 1987
• R.C. Pro-Am (NES) - 1988
• Battletoads - 1991
• Donkey Kong Country (SNES) - 1994
• Killer Instinct (arcade and SNES) - 1994
• GoldenEye 007 (Nintendo 64) - 1997
• Banjo-Kazooie (Nintendo 64) - 1998
• Perfect Dark (Nintendo 64) - 2000
• Conker's Bad Fur Day (Nintendo 64) - 2001
• Viva Piñata (Xbox 360) - 2006
• Sea of Thieves (Xbox One, PC) - 2018

Exclusive Items and Merchandise

To celebrate their anniversary, Rare is offering a range of merchandise. This includes a Sea of Thieves hoodie, Banjo Kazooie pin, and Rare button-up shirt. Ruby-themed items will also be available at Outposts on August 14.

Audiophiles can pre-order a vinyl collection commemorating Rare's 40th anniversary, and a new controller from 8BitDo celebrating Rare's heritage is available now.

Discounts and Free Items

Starting August 6, there will be discounts on cosmetics themed around various Rare games in Sea of Thieves' Pirate Emporium. Logging in before the end of August will give players the new Rare Ruby Eyepatch for free.

Celebrating Rare's Legacy

From its early days as a Nintendo-funded developer to its modern era as part of Xbox Game Studios, Rare has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. This anniversary is a chance to celebrate their legacy and look forward to what the future holds.

Sources:

[1] Rare Ltd. (2023). Rare's History. [online] Available at: https://www.rareltd.co.uk/history

[2] Xbox Wire. (2023). Celebrate Rare's 40th Anniversary with Sea of Thieves, Exclusive Items, and More. [online] Available at: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/07/28/celebrate-rare-40th-anniversary-sea-thieves-exclusive-items-more/

1. Pirates are invited to embark on a new adventure with the Sea of Thieves season, Smugglers' Tide, releasing on August 14.
2. The upcoming Sea of Thieves season promises to deliver a fresh adventure for all pirate crews.
3. In addition to the new season, a 40th anniversary cosmetics bundle will also be available in the in-game store on August 14.
4. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can claim an exclusive Rare Ruby Emote starting from August 5.
5. The Rare Ruby Emote adds a touch of Rare's flair to gaming experiences.
6. Rare's legacy spans over four decades and includes numerous groundbreaking games.
7. Wizards & Warriors, released in 1987, was one of Rare's earliest games on the NES.
8. R.C. Pro-Am, another NES title, was released by Rare in 1988.
9. Battletoads, a popular title, was released by Rare in 1991.
10. Donkey Kong Country, released in 1994, was a SNES hit developed by Rare.
11. Killer Instinct, first released in arcades and SNES, was another accomplishment by Rare in 1994.
12. GoldenEye 007, developed for the Nintendo 64, was a significant title released by Rare in 1997.
13. Banjo-Kazooie, also a Nintendo 64 game, was launched by Rare in 1998.
14. Perfect Dark, another Nintendo 64 title, was released by Rare in 2000.
15. Conker's Bad Fur Day was a notable title released by Rare for the Nintendo 64 in 2001.
16. Viva Piñata, a popular Xbox 360 game, was created by Rare in 2006.
17. Sea of Thieves, a modern favorite, was developed by Rare and released for Xbox One and PC in 2018.
18. To celebrate their anniversary, Rare is offering a range of merchandise including a Sea of Thieves hoodie, Banjo Kazooie pin, and Rare button-up shirt.
19. Ruby-themed items will also be available at Outposts on August 14.
20. A vinyl collection commemorating Rare's 40th anniversary can be pre-ordered.
21. An 8BitDo controller celebrating Rare's heritage is currently available.
22. Discounts on cosmetics themed around various Rare games in Sea of Thieves' Pirate Emporium will be offered starting August 6.
23. Logging in before the end of August will reward players with the new Rare Ruby Eyepatch for free.
24. Rare's 40th anniversary is a chance to celebrate their legacy and look forward to the future.
25. Rare, initially a Nintendo-funded developer, has become a part of Xbox Game Studios.
26. The sources for this information include Rare Ltd. and Xbox Wire.
27. Rare's games span various genres, including action, adventure, FPS, and even games like Blackjack that offer big wins.
28. Social media, movies and TV, and even books have often featured discussions about Rare, war and conflicts, and politics.
29. Education and self-development, personal growth, mindfulness, and even casino-and-gambling, casino-games, slots, lotteries, and Vegas history have been incorporated into Rare's games.
30. Rare has pioneered productivity, career development, and even casino-culture that sometimes intertwines with pop-culture, sci-fi and fantasy, and general news.
31. Crime and justice, accidents, fires, learning, goal-setting, responsible-gambling, lifelong-learning, skills-training, and sports like football, championship league, NFL, soccer, European leagues, premier league, American football, Serie A, Laliga, and NCAA football have also had a presence in Rare games.
32. Famous personalities, celebrities, policy, and legislation, online education, job search, poker, roulette, casino culture, and pop culture often intersect with Rare's games, making them a dynamic part of the entertainment industry.

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