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

Everwild's Development: An Update from Xbox

Over five years after its initial announcement at Microsoft's X019 event, Rare's Everwild remains shrouded in mystery. The game's absence from subsequent Xbox showcases and circulating reboot rumors have fueled speculation about its fate. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer recently confirmed the game is still in development.

In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for Everwild, highlighting a recent visit to Rare Studios in the UK to assess the game's progress. He emphasized the studio's dedication and the time afforded to them, along with Double Fine and State of Decay developers, to ensure high-quality releases despite Microsoft's busy release schedule, enhanced by the acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. Spencer specifically mentioned the flexibility provided to these teams to dedicate the necessary time to their projects.

Everwild's development has faced challenges, including a rumored reboot (denied by Microsoft) and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020. The director's role was subsequently filled by veteran designer Gregg Mayles, known for his work on titles such as Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves.

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

With Microsoft's extensive portfolio of in-development titles, including Perfect Dark, the next Halo installment, Playground Games' Fable, Bethesda's Elder Scrolls 6, and Activision's annual Call of Duty release, Everwild's release date remains unconfirmed. The upcoming release of id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages in May further emphasizes the breadth of Microsoft's game development pipeline. Despite the unknowns, Spencer's comments offer reassurance that Everwild is actively under development and remains a project of significant importance to Xbox.