Microsoft Execs Thought They Owned Donkey Kong IP After Purchasing Rare
Chris Seavor, former Rare employee and Director of Conker’s Bad Fur Day, was on Twitter talking about Microsoft and their purchase of Rare from Nintendo. It seems as if the Microsoft executives sent to check out their spoils were under the impression that they owned the Donkey Kong franchise as part of the Rare acquisition.
@IOnEI_Falcon Here’s a true story.. When Rare was first bought by MS a group of execs came on a tour.. One of them noticed the Donkey Kong.
— Christopher Seavor (@conkerhimself) June 16, 2013
@IOnEI_Falcon ..Posters everywhere and said.. ‘Hey that’s great.. We own Donkey Kong right ??’ ………/massivesigh
— Christopher Seavor (@conkerhimself) June 16, 2013
June 30, 2013
I guess I could understand why Microsoft thought DK would be part of the Rareware package. Donkey Kong Country for SNES was made by Rare. The model for DK in DKC was provided by Rare, too. Of course, the rights to DK the character and series do belong to Nintendo. Miyamoto-san did create the big ape, and I doubt he would give up any of his beloved characters.