Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Issues Update on Rare’s Long in Development Everwild

Rare's Everwild: Still in Development, According to Xbox Boss

Over five years after its initial announcement at Microsoft's X019 event, the fate of Rare's Everwild remains a topic of much speculation. The game's absence from subsequent Xbox showcases and swirling reboot rumors have fueled uncertainty. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer has confirmed the game's continued development.

In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for Everwild, highlighting a recent visit to Rare's UK studio to assess the project's progress. He emphasized the studio's dedication, mentioning Everwild alongside other anticipated titles like the next State of Decay and Double Fine's upcoming game. Spencer attributed the extended development time to Microsoft's ability to provide studios with the necessary support, despite a packed release schedule driven by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

The development of Everwild hasn't been without its challenges. Following a denied reboot rumor and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020, veteran designer Gregg Mayles (known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves) stepped in to lead the project.

While initially described as a third-person adventure game with god game elements, the game's extensive development period suggests potential changes to its core mechanics. The last trailer, released in July 2020, simply promised a "brand new IP from Rare...a unique and unforgettable experience in a natural and magical world."

Everwild joins a substantial roster of Microsoft's in-development titles, including the Perfect Dark reboot, the next Halo installment, Playground Games' Fable, Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls 6, and Activision's annual Call of Duty release. This underscores the sheer scale of Microsoft's gaming portfolio and the challenges involved in managing numerous large-scale projects simultaneously.