Rare's Everwild Update from Xbox Chief

Rare's Everwild: Still in Development, Says Xbox Boss

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

In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for Everwild's eventual release, highlighting a recent visit to Rare Studios in the UK to assess the game's progress. He cited Everwild alongside State of Decay and the next Double Fine project as titles he's particularly enthusiastic about, emphasizing the time afforded to these teams despite Microsoft's busy release schedule, significantly boosted by the acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. Spencer noted Microsoft's ability to provide development teams with the necessary time to create quality games.

Everwild has faced challenges, including a denied reboot rumor and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020. The directorial role was subsequently filled by veteran designer Gregg Mayles, known for his work on titles such as Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves.

While early reports described Everwild as a third-person adventure game with god game elements, its extended development period suggests potential changes to its initial vision. 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."

With a substantial pipeline of games including Perfect Dark, the next Halo installment, Playground Games' Fable, Bethesda's Elder Scrolls 6, Activision's Call of Duty, and id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages (May release), Everwild's release date remains unannounced, but its continued development is confirmed.