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The Stamper Brothers' Secret Empire: 5 Things Chris And Tim Stamper Are Doing Right Now (December 2025)

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Decades after selling Rare to Microsoft in a landmark deal, Chris and Tim Stamper remain two of the most enigmatic and influential figures in the video game industry. The brothers, famous for their intense secrecy and groundbreaking work on titles like Donkey Kong Country and GoldenEye 007, have quietly continued their entrepreneurial journey, focusing on new ventures that blend their signature creativity with modern mobile technology. As of December 2025, their latest work is still shrouded in the mystery fans have come to expect, but a clear picture emerges of their continued commitment to innovation through their current company, FortuneFish Ltd.

The Stamper brothers' legacy is defined by a relentless pursuit of technical excellence, a trait that continues to drive their current projects. Their post-Rare activities prove that the duo who built two legendary studios—Ultimate Play the Game and Rare—are far from finished shaping the future of interactive entertainment, even if they prefer to do so out of the spotlight and away from the clamor of AAA development.

Chris and Tim Stamper: The Architects of Rare's Golden Age

The Stamper brothers—Chris (the technology visionary) and Tim (the creative and design lead)—are British entrepreneurs who fundamentally shaped the landscape of gaming, first in the 8-bit era and later during the 16-bit and 64-bit console generations. They are renowned for their incredible productivity and technical prowess, often working on multiple projects simultaneously.

Biographical Profile & Key Entities:

  • Names: Chris Stamper & Tim Stamper
  • Nationality: British
  • First Company: Ashby Computers and Graphics (ACG) (1982)
  • First Major Studio: Ultimate Play the Game (Founded: 1983)
  • Second Major Studio: Rare (Founded: 1985, originally Rareware)
  • Rare Sale: Sold to Microsoft (2002)
  • Departure from Rare: 2007
  • Current Venture: FortuneFish Ltd. (Co-Founded: 2013)
  • Key Collaborators: Joel Hochberg, Stephen Stamper, Joe Stamper, Dr. Phil Popejoy, Ed Fries (Microsoft)
  • Legacy: Pioneering the use of isometric graphics (Knight Lore) and ACM (Advanced Computer Modeling) technology for pre-rendered 3D graphics (Donkey Kong Country).

The brothers’ first company, Ultimate Play the Game, quickly became a powerhouse on the ZX Spectrum with hits like Jetpac and Sabre Wulf. When the 8-bit market declined, they pivoted, securing funding from Nintendo to create Rare. This partnership led to a legendary run of games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), and later, the revolutionary titles that defined the Nintendo 64 era.

1. The Continued Focus on FortuneFish Ltd.

Following their departure from Rare in 2007, the Stamper brothers took a multi-year hiatus, leading to massive speculation about their next move. The answer came in 2013 with the quiet founding of FortuneFish Ltd.. This Nottingham-based studio was co-founded by Tim and Chris Stamper, alongside Joe Stamper and Dr. Phil Popejoy, signaling their return to the industry, albeit in a much smaller, more focused capacity.

FortuneFish represents a dramatic shift from the high-stakes, AAA console development of Rare. The new studio is centered on the mobile gaming market, applying the Stampers' deep technical expertise to smaller, more nimble projects. This move allows them to continue experimenting with "bleeding edge technology" and "inspired creativity" without the massive overhead and public scrutiny of a major console developer.

This new company is a perfect example of their entrepreneurial spirit, allowing them to remain active in the gaming world on their own terms. The shift to mobile development, while surprising to some fans, is a strategic move that reflects the current market and the brothers' long-standing desire to innovate.

2. Developing New Mobile and AR Experiences

FortuneFish Ltd. has been developing games that "continue to shape how people will engage with games, characters and environments in the future". While they have maintained their characteristic low profile, a few of their projects have surfaced, confirming their focus on modern mobile platforms and emerging technologies like Augmented Reality (AR).

One of their known releases is the mobile title That Bouncy Thing, a casual game that embodies the pick-up-and-play simplicity often seen in the mobile space. More recently, the company released the app Fashion AR - Style & Makeover, an augmented reality experience that allows users to try on virtual clothing and accessories. This project highlights Chris Stamper’s continued interest in advanced rendering and technology, applying his technical vision to the world of AR and interactive digital fashion.

The move into AR is a fascinating evolution, suggesting they are still committed to pushing technical boundaries, just as they did with their revolutionary pre-rendered 3D graphics for the Super Nintendo with Donkey Kong Country. Their work at FortuneFish is described by some as their "best work to date," a testament to their belief in the quality and innovation of their current, smaller-scale projects.

3. The Legacy of Rare and Ultimate Play the Game

While the brothers are focused on FortuneFish, their legacy continues to dominate discussions in the gaming community. Their influence is so profound that any news, even a simple social media post, generates massive interest, illustrating their topical authority in the industry. The sheer volume of classic games they created is staggering and forms the foundation of modern British game development.

A Selection of Essential Stamper Games (Entities):

  • Ultimate Play the Game Era (ZX Spectrum):
    • Jetpac (1983)
    • Sabre Wulf (1984)
    • Knight Lore (1984)
    • Alien 8 (1985)
    • Gunfright (1986)
  • Rare/Rareware Era (Nintendo/Microsoft):
    • Battletoads (1991)
    • Donkey Kong Country (1994)
    • Killer Instinct (1994)
    • GoldenEye 007 (1997)
    • Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
    • Banjo-Kazooie (1998)
    • Perfect Dark (2000)
    • Conker's Bad Fur Day (2001)
    • Grabbed by the Ghoulies (2003)

Even in December 2025, the brothers occasionally acknowledge their past successes. Tim Stamper, for example, has commented on the enduring appeal of franchises like Banjo-Kazooie, noting that the original intention was always for the series to "grow" and expand, a sentiment that fuels fan hopes for future installments.

4. Maintaining Extreme Privacy and Secrecy

One of the most consistent aspects of the Stamper brothers’ professional lives is their extreme privacy. They are notoriously selective about interviews and public appearances, a reputation that began during the Rareware days and continues with FortuneFish. This deliberate secrecy creates a mystique around their projects, making any small piece of information highly valuable to fans and the media.

Their preference for working quietly allows them to focus purely on development without the constant pressure of public expectation or the need to generate marketing hype. This is a stark contrast to the modern gaming industry, where developers often communicate daily with their community. The Stampers' approach is a throwback to an earlier era of game development, where the finished product spoke for itself. This low-profile strategy is a key reason why finding "latest news" on their current projects is so challenging, yet so rewarding when uncovered.

5. Shaping the Next Generation of Developers

While they are no longer running a massive studio like Rare, Chris and Tim Stamper are still influencing the industry through the next generation of developers. Their current company, FortuneFish, is co-founded with Joe Stamper (Tim’s son) and Dr. Phil Popejoy, suggesting a mentorship role where the legendary veterans pass on their unique blend of technical discipline and creative vision.

The brothers' philosophy, which once involved intense 18-hour workdays to perfect their craft, is now being subtly infused into a new, smaller team. By focusing on mobile and AR, they are teaching a new team how to innovate within modern constraints, ensuring the "Stamper touch"—a commitment to high-quality, polished, and technically impressive games—continues to have an impact on the industry, even if it’s on a different platform.

The story of Chris and Tim Stamper is one of continuous evolution. From the early days of Ultimate Play the Game to the console dominance of Rare and now the quiet, innovative work at FortuneFish Ltd., their journey proves that true game development legends never truly retire; they simply find a new, smaller sandbox in which to play and build their "best work to date."

chris and tim stamper
chris and tim stamper

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