Kameo: Elements Of Power Postponed

Microsoft Game Studios and UK-based developer Rare have announced that upcoming Xbox platformer, Kameo: Elements Of Power, has been postponed to an unspecified date. News of the delay comes after multiple public showings of the title, with Microsoft Game Studios citing the need to incorporate several changes and features, both minor and major, to the game. In a statement made on the official Rare website, the developers commented: "We realise this is frustrating in the short term to all those of you avidly following the game's progress and itching to bust some Troll heads, and we can only apologise for keeping you in suspense, but rest assured that every last one of these new developments is designed to enhance and expand the overall experience." The delay of Kameo: Elements Of Power comes as the latest shift for the frequently pushed-back title. The game was originally in development for the GameCube prior to the Rare acquisition in 2002, and, following Microsoft's buy-out of the company, was set for a late 2003 release for the Xbox. However, some sources are now suggesting that Kameo could be delayed far enough so that it may now become an Xbox 2 launch title. If true, this would be the third piece of console hardware the game has been developed for. Since Microsoft's much-lauded acquisition of Rare for $375 million in mid-2002, the long-standing developer, most famous for its close relationship with Nintendo has, ironically, released more titles for the Game Boy Advance than the Xbox. In fact, the Xbox platformer Grabbed By The Ghoulies is the only post-Microsoft first-party release for the Twycross, UK-based developer. Rare has also debuted the Game Boy Advance titles Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge and Sabre Wulf via THQ since the acquisition, but its output is a far cry from the post-acquisition statement that Rare expected to have at least five Xbox titles due out over the two years following the deal. Nonetheless, in the near future, the company has the following officially confirmed titles in development: Conker Live & Reloaded (Xbox), Perfect Dark Zero (Xbox), Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest (GBA), It's Mr. Pants (GBA) and Banjo Pilot (GBA).