Topic: Nintendo Actually Acknowledges Rare Situation?

[msuzuki]

We're still waiting for the official word but Nintendo has given a brief quote on the situation.

Bloomberg.com now has an article on the Rare situation adding to the list of mainstream media that have already picked up the Microsoft Buys Rare story.  So, why even mention this?  Well, there's actually a (very) brief quote from a Nintendo spokesman on the matter.

Kyoto, Japan, Sept. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Nintendo Co., the maker of the GameCube video-game system, said it may consider selling shares in U.K. gamemaker Rare Ltd. if Microsoft Corp. becomes a major shareholder.  

Rare has been making fewer games for Nintendo in recent years and the sale would have ``little impact for us,'' Nintendo spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa said. Microsoft is in talks to buy Rare, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the negotiations.  

Microsoft is seeking to buy companies like Rare to beef up its roster of games that can be played only on its Xbox system, which competes with GameCube and Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2. Xbox sales have lagged expectations in part because of the lack of unique games other than ``Halo,'' an analyst said.

A small quote, but that official announcement should be on the way anytime now.