Rare's Everwild: Still in Development, According to Xbox Boss
Over five years after 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 recently confirmed the game is still actively in development.
In a conversation with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his enthusiasm for Everwild, mentioning a recent visit to Rare Studios in the UK to assess the game's progress. He highlighted Everwild alongside State of Decay and Double Fine's upcoming title as projects he's particularly excited about. Spencer emphasized Microsoft's ability to provide development teams with the necessary time, even with a packed 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. Veteran designer Gregg Mayles, known for his work on titles like Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves, has since taken the director's reins.
While initially described as a third-person adventure game with god game elements, the game's extended development period suggests potential changes to its core mechanics. The last trailer, released in July 2020, simply described Everwild as "a brand new IP from Rare. A unique and unforgettable experience awaits 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 VI, and Activision's annual Call of Duty release, Everwild's release date remains unannounced. The upcoming release of id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages in May further underscores the breadth of Microsoft's game development portfolio.
