Rare has always been tight-lipped when it comes to discussing rumored or dormant titles. However, from time to time they will respond to questions about these titles in the Scribes section of their website. We've got a few comments regarding Killer Instinct 3 and Perfect Dark Zero, as well as next generation development from the most recent edition of Scribes.

When asked about development on Perfect Dark Zero transitioning from Xbox to Xbox 2, Rare replied with the following:

"Kameo and Conker are currently the only Xbox projects that we've shown to the public, yes. There may be others, or they may end up on the next machine. It all comes down to the fact that releasing games in the last stage of a console's lifespan can be a less than hugely profitable experience, so sometimes it makes more sense to carry them over to the early days of the machine's successor."

Now while this doesn't confirm or deny anything, the fact that Rare commented on games not selling well in the last stage of a console's lifespan, coupled with no new information on Perfect Dark Zero at E3 2004, supports the rumors that PDZ has been moved to an Xbox 2 title. In addition, with Conker and Kameo both due out late this year, and Sony all but confirming the PlayStation 3 will ship in March 2006, that could indicate that the last stage of the Xbox lifespan would come in 2005. Does this mean Conker and Kameo will be the last Rare titles for the Xbox? It certainly looks that way.

When asked about the development of a new Killer Instinct title, the good people at Rare had this to say:

"We've said we may well do it when the time's right, we feel we can produce something truly worthy of the name, and it's got any chance at all of selling. The market for 2D fighters hasn't exactly blossomed since KI2/Gold (almost a decade ago now, lest we forget), whereas the bar is arguably much higher for 3D fighters, so even that's a decision we couldn't make lightly. But as ever, we're not ruling it out. Just don't expect to see it at E3."

Rare has said on many occasions that they wouldn't rule out another Killer Instinct title. However, this is the first time they've compared the 2D and 3D fighting game markets. The fact that they mention the 2D market is somewhat lacking indicates that the next Killer Instinct could be making the jump to 3D when and if it releases.

The second comment about the title not showing up at E3 seems to have come out of nowhere. The original question did not mention E3 at all. With a little bit of creative thinking, coupled with Rare's above statement about not releasing games in the last stage of a console's lifecycle, could this indicate that Killer Instinct will be hitting the Xbox 2 with a 3D sequel? We certainly wouldn't rule it out.

So what does all of this mean? While it doesn't confirm anything, it does open the floor for more speculation surrounding the highly anticipated Perfect Dark Zero, and the much rumored Killer Instinct 3. We'll have more information from Rare as it becomes available.