Phil Spencer Updates on Rare's Everwild Development

Rare's Everwild has been a topic of interest and speculation since its announcement over five years ago at Microsoft's X019 event. Despite repeated absences from Xbox showcases and swirling rumors of reboots, the project remains active, as confirmed by Xbox boss Phil Spencer.

In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for Everwild, noting that he had visited Rare's UK studio to see the progress firsthand. Rare, known for its live service pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves, is diligently working on Everwild. Spencer highlighted the game alongside other upcoming titles like State of Decay and the next game from Double Fine, indicating Microsoft's commitment to giving these teams ample development time. This approach is supported by Microsoft's robust release schedule, bolstered by acquisitions such as Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

Spencer emphasized Microsoft's strategy of allowing development teams the necessary time to perfect their projects. He mentioned an upcoming visit to The Coalition in Vancouver, the developers behind Gears of War, showcasing the company's ongoing support for its studios.

Everwild has faced its share of challenges, including the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020 and subsequent rumors of a reboot, which Microsoft has denied. The project has since been entrusted to veteran designer Gregg Mayles, known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, and Sea of Thieves.

As for what Everwild entails, initial reports suggested it would be a third-person adventure game with elements of a god game. However, given the extended development period, these details might have evolved. The last trailer for Everwild, released in July 2020, described it as a "brand new IP from Rare" promising a "unique and unforgettable experience in a natural and magical world."

Microsoft's development pipeline is packed with other high-profile projects, including the Perfect Dark reboot, the next Halo installment, and Playground's new Fable game. Additionally, Bethesda is working on The Elder Scrolls 6, and Activision is preparing this year's Call of Duty. In the near future, id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch in May, adding to Microsoft's diverse gaming portfolio.