It’s a sad news today for Killer Instinct and Rare fans alike as layoffs hit the british studio following the unsuccessful launch of Kinect Sports Rivals. Computer And Video Games reports that a number of layoffs has hit the company, amongst them being longtime veteran Chris Sutherland. Chris Sutherland was a Rare veteran who had been with Rare for over twenty years, having served as the lead programmer on the Donkey Kong Country trilogy on the SNES, Battletoads, and the Banjo-Kazooie games. As Killer Instinct fans of both the old and new game, you’ll better recognize him as the voice of Killer Instinct. Yes, Sutherland is the man responsible for the iconic ‘C-C-C-Combo Breaker’ announcement as well as nearly everything else in the original KI games. He returned to voice the new KI for Xbox One last year as an optional voice over selection in the game.
It honestly breaks my heart to have to report news like this having grown up with Rare and a number of Sutherland’s games. I wish him and all others affected by the layoffs the best of luck on finding another job and want issue a personal ‘thank you’ for the memories and the wonderful experiences brought to the gaming industry during their time at Rare. If you all reading have your own thoughts you’d like to share, please leave a comment below.
Source: Computer And Video Games
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Yeah, maybe Microsoft picked Chris up as a new employee?
Perhaps and hopefully so too
does this mean he wont be an announcer for KI anymore? what will happen when new characters hit the scene??
Now if I recall correctly the developers DID say that they’re going to bring back Chris as well as Mike to be the announcers for Season 2. So don’t worry I’m pretty sure that both Chris and Mike WILL return to be the announcers ONCE AGAIN for Killer Instinct Season 2
What? Seriously? Oh man. Poor Chris. Hopefully he will find another new job real soon and it would be very cool if he seeks out and goes to work for Iron Galaxy Studios. Or even better if Iron Galaxy hires Chris to be an official member and overall become a part of the development team at Iron Galaxy Studios
That would be so awesome 
RARE is still dead, it just isn’t what it was anymore, fuck Rare, RIP Rareware.
Fuck Microsoft, <3 RARE…
Ok I expect to get alot of hate for this but here goes. First, it is sad to see this happen and I do appreciate what he has done in the past for games. In.The. Past. Back in the day Rare was a great company, but even then they still had many games that weren’t successful, or dare I say, good. The long list of games they have are a mixed bag of failures and successes. Recently they haven’t released anything that really exploded onto the gaming scene. And I bet that’s why the retooling of the staff is under way, to try and get Rare back in the game on a manner of speaking. This does suck and I wish him the best, but as a company stand point, this can also be a good thing if handled correctly. If they manage to bring Rare back to a legit game studio again, then kudos.
I can’t believe it… It’s really sad to all Rare’s fans. Rare was the best back in the 90 and 00. =(
Yes. I know, right? Including for Chris
Really, it would help a lot to Iron Galaxie in the second version of Killer Instinct. A good option to contract the company should think well to respect. Much of the success of previous versions passed him! I wish good luck to all who participated in the history of the game, as a fan, and a heartfelt thanks!
“LOCKOUT”! LOL
oh that sucks, give chris a job at Iron Galaxy to help with the new Killer Instinct season 2 content, he belongs there!!!
Yes, I am completely and at the same time I absolutely agree with u on that
Sounds awesome!
Indeed it is