Did rare go down after acquisition? I'm young so maybe I don't remember what the glory days of rare were but Rare with Microsoft produced Viva Pinata, banjo kazooie nuts and bolts, and sea of thieves. Sea of thieves did have some trouble at launch but it has grown into quite a great game. Viva piñata is highly revered and nuts and bolts is also loved, even if it wasn't a banjo kazooie platformer.