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

What happened to Rare’s Everwild? Announced over five years ago at Microsoft’s X019 presentation, its absence from subsequent Xbox showcases and swirling reboot rumors have fueled speculation about its fate. However, Xbox boss Phil Spencer assures us the game is still alive.

In an interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for Everwild, mentioning a recent visit to Rare Studios (creators of Sea of Thieves) to witness the game’s progress firsthand. He highlighted Everwild, alongside State of Decay and the next Double Fine project, as titles he's enthusiastic about, emphasizing the time afforded to their respective development teams. He cited Microsoft’s ability to provide this extended development time, even with a packed release schedule fueled by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

Spencer's comments confirm Microsoft's commitment to allowing these teams the necessary time for development. He further illustrated this point by mentioning an upcoming visit to Coalition (the Gears of War developers) in Vancouver.

Everwild's development journey hasn't been without its challenges. Following a denied reboot rumor and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020, Rare appointed veteran designer Gregg Mayles (known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, and Sea of Thieves) as the new director.

While early reports described Everwild as a third-person adventure game incorporating god game elements, its extended development time suggests potential changes. The last trailer, released in July 2020, simply described it as "a brand new IP from Rare. A unique and unforgettable experience awaits in a natural and magical world."

Microsoft's development pipeline is brimming with anticipated titles, including the Perfect Dark reboot, the next Halo installment, Playground's new Fable game, Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls VI, and Activision's annual Call of Duty release. In the nearer term, id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages is slated for a May launch.