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, revealing a recent visit to Rare's UK studio (home of Sea of Thieves) to assess its progress. He highlighted Everwild alongside State of Decay and the next Double Fine project as titles he's enthusiastic about, emphasizing the progress being made. He credits Microsoft's ability to provide development teams ample time, even amidst a busy release schedule fueled by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

Spencer's comments underscore 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 developer) in Vancouver.

Everwild has faced challenges, including a denied reboot rumor and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020. However, Rare appointed veteran designer Gregg Mayles (known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, and Sea of Thieves) to fill the director role.

So, what is Everwild? Early reports described it as a third-person adventure game with god game elements, but its extended development cycle may have altered its direction. 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."

With Microsoft juggling a vast portfolio of in-development titles—including Perfect Dark, the next Halo, Playground's Fable, Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls VI, Activision's Call of Duty, and id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages (May release)—Everwild's continued development speaks volumes about Microsoft's long-term vision and commitment to its studios.