Following 1UP's revelation yesterday that Rare founders Chris and Tim Stamper had recently moved on from the company comes some insight into the "decline" of the developer, courtesy of, oddly enough, Phil Harrison. The Sony exec was questioned by Newsweek supereditor N'Gai Croal on what Phil thought about Rare's inability to "regain its former glory."

... I think that they became quite insular and quite inward-facing, and they missed some of the trends that were going on in the business generally. Now also, if you sell your company to Microsoft and get hundreds of millions of whatevers, currency in the bank, it does tend to defocus management a little bit. But Rare, and prior to Rare, Ultimate, are responsible for some of the best games ever made.

A very diplomatic, insightful answer, Mr. Harrison. Croal also takes time to wax realistically on the real reasons why the Stampers jumped ship. Maybe they just wanted to take some time to focus on their lighting of cigars with 50 pound notes. Michael McWhertor

Critical Hit: Playstation Studio Chief Phil Harrison's Prescient Requiem For Rare [Newsweek]
Rare Founders Leave Company [Kotaku]