Everwild Update: Phil Spencer Provides Insights

Everwild's Development: An Update from Xbox

Over five years after its initial announcement at Microsoft's X019, Rare's Everwild has remained shrouded in mystery. The game's absence from subsequent Xbox showcases and circulating reboot rumors fueled speculation about its fate. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer has confirmed the game is still in development.

In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his enthusiasm for Everwild, 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 excited about. Spencer emphasized Microsoft's ability to provide development teams ample time, even with a robust release schedule fueled by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

Everwild's development has faced 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 Pinata, and Sea of Thieves) took the helm.

While initially described as a third-person adventure game incorporating god game elements, the game's prolonged development suggests potential shifts in its design. 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."

Everwild joins a lengthy list of Microsoft's in-development titles, including the Perfect Dark reboot, the next Halo installment, Playground Games' Fable, Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls 6, and Activision's annual Call of Duty release. This underscores the significant investment and time commitment required for these large-scale projects.