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 confirmed Everwild as one of his highly anticipated upcoming titles. He recently visited Rare, the UK studio behind Sea of Thieves, to assess its progress. He highlighted the time afforded to developers of several titles, including Everwild, State of Decay, and the next Double Fine game, stating that Microsoft's busy release schedule, boosted by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, hasn't prevented them from giving these teams the necessary development time. He cited his upcoming visit to Coalition, the Gears of War developers, as further evidence of this commitment.

Everwild's development has faced challenges. While Microsoft denies reboot rumors, the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020 was a significant event. However, Rare appointed veteran designer Gregg Mayles (known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves) to fill the director's role.

With Microsoft juggling numerous projects, 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 (releasing in May), the continued development of Everwild amidst this crowded pipeline speaks volumes about Microsoft's commitment to the title.