Rare's Everwild Update from Xbox

Everwild's Development: An Update from Xbox

Over five years since its announcement at Microsoft's X019, Rare's Everwild has faced speculation regarding its development status. Repeated absences from Xbox showcases and reboot rumors fueled concerns about the project's future. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer recently confirmed Everwild'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 those working on Everwild, State of Decay, and the next Double Fine project, with the necessary time, despite a busy release schedule driven by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. Spencer specifically noted the team's dedication and the progress being made on Everwild.

The game's development has faced challenges, including a denied reboot rumor and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020. Gregg Mayles, a veteran designer with experience on titles like Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves, has since taken the director's role.

While initially described as a third-person adventure game with god game elements, the game's exact nature may have evolved during its extended development. The last trailer, from July 2020, simply described Everwild as "a brand new IP from Rare. A unique and unforgettable experience awaits in a natural and magical world."

Amidst Microsoft's extensive development pipeline, including titles like Perfect Dark, the next Halo installment, Playground Games' Fable, Bethesda's Elder Scrolls VI, and Activision's annual Call of Duty release, Everwild's continued development demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to long-term projects.