Everwild Update: Xbox's Spencer Speaks

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 project is alive and well.

In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer cited Everwild among upcoming titles he's particularly excited about. He highlighted a recent visit to Rare's UK studio (also home to Sea of Thieves) to witness the game's progress firsthand. He mentioned the studio's dedication, alongside similar patience afforded to Double Fine and State of Decay developers, emphasizing Microsoft's ability to allow development time even with a packed release schedule, thanks in part to acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

Spencer's comments highlight Microsoft's commitment to providing ample development time for these projects. He further illustrated this point by mentioning an upcoming trip to Vancouver to visit The Coalition (Gears of War developer).

Everwild's journey hasn't been without its challenges. Following a denied reboot rumor and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020, veteran designer Gregg Mayles (known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, and Sea of Thieves) stepped in to lead the project.

While early reports described Everwild as a third-person adventure game incorporating god game elements, its extended development time 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 Perfect Dark, the next Halo, Playground's new Fable, The Elder Scrolls 6, the next Call of Duty, and Doom: The Dark Ages (releasing in May)—Everwild's release date remains uncertain, but its continued development is confirmed.