Rare's "Everwild" Update from Xbox Head

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

Over five years after its initial announcement at Microsoft's X019, Everwild's prolonged absence from Xbox showcases and swirling reboot rumors have fueled speculation about its fate. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer has confirmed the game is still actively in development.

In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for Everwild, noting a recent visit to Rare's UK studio to assess the game's progress. He cited Everwild alongside State of Decay and Double Fine's next project as titles he's particularly enthusiastic about. Spencer emphasized Microsoft's ability to provide development teams ample time, even with a robust release schedule fueled by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

The development of Everwild has faced challenges, including a denied reboot rumor and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020. However, veteran designer Gregg Mayles (known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves) has since taken the director's reins.

While early reports described Everwild as a third-person adventure game with god game elements, its extended development cycle 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."

With Microsoft's extensive development pipeline including titles like Perfect Dark, the next Halo installment, Playground's Fable, Bethesda's Elder Scrolls 6, and Activision's annual Call of Duty release, Everwild's continued development highlights Microsoft's commitment to long-term projects. This contrasts with the shorter-term release of id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages in May.