Rare: We're not a Kinect exclusive dev

Rare's next game is Kinect Sports and the studio is one of the motion-sensing add-on's most vocal supporters, but new boss Scott Henson has denied the famed UK company has become a Kinect-exclusive developer.

However, Kinect development is the "centrepiece" of Rare's strategy, Henson, who Microsoft has just announced as Rare's new studio manager, told Eurogamer.

"Kinect will be a key part of the studio's future," he said. "I'm not suggesting it's going to be exclusive, but it will be the centrepiece of our strategy for sure, because there is a lot of opportunity there."

Rare's impressive back catalogue of franchises includes Kameo: Elements of Power, Killer Instinct, Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark and Viva Piñata – all Microsoft-owned intellectual properties.

In March this year Microsoft released a Perfect Dark remake on Xbox Live Arcade with updated graphics.

Henson suggested downloadable refreshes are most likely - if Rare is to delve into its back catalogue.

"One of the assets here is we've got this great back catalogue, this great history," Henson said. "The number one asset Rare has is its creativity and its talent and its desire to innovate and push forward.

"We'll look at those opportunities. Absolutely. You can look at what we're doing with Xbox Live Arcade and you can see how we've taken those classics and refreshed them and brought them to the service. We'll continue to look at those kinds of opportunities. Don't just think about packaged goods in terms of opportunities and Rare and how we bring those things to life. We'll look at all of it and evaluate it.

"But the centrepiece will be continuing to do what first party does best, which is innovate and look at new experiences and opportunities with things like Kinect and push the boundaries of that. That's our role and Rare will continue to lead the charge around that."