Rare's Everwild Update from Xbox Head

Everwild's Development: An Update from Xbox

Over five years since its initial announcement at Microsoft's X019, Rare's Everwild has faced speculation and delays. Rumors of reboots and its absence from subsequent Xbox showcases fueled concerns about the project's fate. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer recently confirmed the game's ongoing development.

In a conversation 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 Microsoft's ability to provide development teams, including Rare, with the necessary time, even amidst a busy release schedule fueled by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. This contrasts with concerns raised by the game's prolonged development cycle.

Spencer's comments directly address concerns stemming from the previously reported reboot and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020. Rare subsequently appointed veteran designer Gregg Mayles (known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves) to lead the project.

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

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

Spencer's reassurance, however, offers a degree of clarity amidst the uncertainty surrounding Everwild's release date and final form. The game remains a part of Microsoft's future plans, though its precise release remains undisclosed.