# Rare Ltd.

> British video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q642707](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q642707)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_(company))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rare-ltd

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for Rare Ltd.:

---

## Summary  
Rare Ltd. is a British video game developer founded in 1985 and currently owned by Xbox Game Studios, a subsidiary of Microsoft. Known for iconic titles like *Battletoads*, Rare specializes in creating innovative and visually distinctive games. The company is headquartered in Twycross, UK, and operates within the global video game industry.

## Key Facts  
- **Founded**: 1985 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, UK, by Tim Stamper and Chris Stamper.  
- **Headquarters**: Twycross, UK (coordinates: 52.6296°N, 1.4937°W).  
- **Ownership**: Acquired by Xbox Game Studios (Microsoft) in 2002.  
- **Notable Work**: Developed *Battletoads* and succeeded *Ultimate Play the Game*.  
- **Legal Form**: Privately held joint-stock company.  
- **Industry**: Video game development and software production.  
- **Social Media**: Active on Twitter (@RareLtd), YouTube (UCJqdvIL9boKz6cXEdcx6V1w), and Instagram (@rareltd).  
- **Employees**: Part of Microsoft’s workforce (221,000 employees globally as of 2022).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Rare Ltd. best known for?  
A: Rare is best known for creating *Battletoads* and pioneering visually distinctive games under Xbox Game Studios.  

### Q: Who owns Rare Ltd.?  
A: Rare is owned by Xbox Game Studios, a subsidiary of Microsoft, which acquired it in 2002.  

### Q: Where is Rare Ltd. headquartered?  
A: Rare’s headquarters are in Twycross, UK, with coordinates 52.6296°N, 1.4937°W.  

## Why It Matters  
Rare Ltd. is a pivotal player in the video game industry, blending creativity with technical innovation. Its acquisition by Microsoft solidified its role in shaping Xbox-exclusive titles, contributing to the platform’s competitive edge. Rare’s legacy includes revitalizing classic franchises and pushing graphical boundaries, influencing modern game design. The studio’s work underscores the UK’s prominence in game development and highlights Microsoft’s strategic investment in exclusive content.  

## Notable For  
- **Iconic Franchises**: Created *Battletoads* and inherited *Ultimate Play the Game*’s legacy.  
- **Visual Innovation**: Known for distinctive art styles and technical achievements.  
- **Microsoft Integration**: Key developer under Xbox Game Studios since 2002.  
- **Global Reach**: Games published worldwide, with multilingual Wikipedia coverage (10+ languages).  

## Body  
### History  
- Founded in 1985 as Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd.  
- Rebranded as Rare Ltd. and succeeded *Ultimate Play the Game*.  
- Acquired by Microsoft/Xbox Game Studios in 2002.  

### Operations  
- **Headquarters**: Twycross, UK (postcode: RG5 3EL).  
- **Parent Org**: Xbox Game Studios (Microsoft).  
- **Legal Status**: Joint-stock company.  

### Products  
- Developed *Battletoads* and other Xbox-exclusive titles.  
- Produces software for gaming platforms.  

### Recognition  
- Featured in Wikidata, Wikipedia (30+ language links), and gaming wikis.  
- Active social media presence (313K Twitter followers as of 2023).  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "Rare Ltd.",
  "description": "British video game developer owned by Xbox Game Studios.",
  "url": "https://www.rare.co.uk/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6978597",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_(company)"
  ],
  "foundingDate": "1985",
  "founder": ["Tim Stamper", "Chris Stamper"],
  "parentOrganization": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Xbox Game Studios"
  },
  "location": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "address": "Twycross, UK"
  }
}

## References

1. LastDodo
2. MusicBrainz
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. National Software Reference Library
5. YouTube API
6. VideoGameGeek
7. [Rare Ltd. - Rare Wiki](https://rarewiki.com/wiki/Rare_Ltd.)
8. Video Games Chronicle