Rare

Lore & Background

Rare's involvement with *GoldenEye 007* began when Nintendo secured the James Bond license from MGM. Rare was chosen to develop the game due to their strong technical reputation and close relationship with Nintendo. The team, led by programmer Martin Hollis, worked for over two years to create a title that would blend stealth, action, and exploration in a 3D environment. The game's engine allowed for detailed character models, destructible environments, and a sophisticated damage system that tracked hits to specific body parts.

In Their Own Story

In the dimly lit corridors of Rare's Twycross studio, a small team huddled around Silicon Graphics workstations. The air smelled of coffee and solder. They were building a game that would let players step into James Bond's shoes, but the challenge was immense: a first-person shooter on a console, with no established template. Martin Hollis scribbled notes on a whiteboard as programmers debated the physics of grenade bounces and the precise timing of enemy patrols. Every polygon, every frame rate drop, every reload animation was a battle. When the final build was burned onto cartridge, they knew they had created something that would change the industry.

Reader's Guide

GoldenEye 007 was developed by Rare and published by Nintendo exclusively for the Nintendo 64, released in 1997. The game was a critical and commercial success, praised for its single-player campaign, four-player split-screen multiplayer, and innovative use of the N64 controller. It sold over 8 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling N64 titles. The development team included key figures such as Martin Hollis (director), David Doak (designer), and Grant Kirkhope (composer). The game's legacy includes influencing later first-person shooters like Halo and Call of Duty, and it remains a touchstone for console FPS design. Rare's work on GoldenEye 007 cemented their reputation as one of the leading developers of the era.

Did You Know?

• The game's iconic 'Slappers Only' mode was a late addition, created by a developer as a joke.
• Rare's original pitch for the game included a more arcade-style approach, but the team shifted to a slower, more tactical design after testing.
• The multiplayer mode was initially not part of the plan; it was added after the team saw the potential for competitive play during development.