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Image: Tim Stamper

Tim Stamper, legendary UK developer and co-founder of iconic studios Rare and Ultimate Play The Game, has surprised gaming fans by making an unlikely appearance on social media, offering what appears to be a cryptic tease for a potential future project.

Stamper, appearing on X and Instagram for the first time in over three years, posted a short message which appeared to suggest that he is getting restless over some form of mystery project, teasing the opening of a "vault". The message was accompanied by an image of keys, all adorned with Stamper's trademark Googly Eyes.

Naturally, commenters on social media have been somewhat shocked by Stamper's sudden resurfacing, with fans offering surprise and praise for the veteran developer who, alongside his brother, Chris, crafted classic '80s titles such as Jetpac (1983), Atic Atac (1983) and Sabre Wulf (1984).

Founding Rare in 1985, the studio would cement its status in the 1990s, with SNES releases Donkey Kong Country (1994) and Killer Instinct (1994), before spearheading the Nintendo 64 with some of its best titles, including Banjo-Kazooie (1998), Diddy Kong Racing (1997), Perfect Dark (2000), and, of course, the legendary GoldenEye 007 (1997)

The suggestion of opening a "vault" of some sort seems to imply that whatever Stamper is considering, it involves his previous (or perhaps incomplete) work. For now, we'll simply have to wait and see what, (if anything), comes of this rare (pun fully intended) appearance from one of Britain's most notable industry figures.

Atic Atac II. It's time, Tim.