In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, Rare’s Everwild remains shrouded in mystery, leaving fans eagerly anticipating its release since its announcement over five years ago at Microsoft’s X019 presentation. With numerous Xbox showcases coming and going without a sight of the game, rumors of reboots have ignited speculations about the project’s fate. Yet, Xbox head honcho Phil Spencer assures the gaming community that Everwild is very much alive and progressing positively.
In a revealing discussion with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his enthusiasm for the highly anticipated title, sharing insights from his recent visit to Rare’s UK studio. Known for its successful live-service game, Sea of Thieves, Rare is hard at work on Everwild, providing Spencer with a firsthand look at its current development stage.
Spencer noted, “Yeah, State of Decay is just one of the franchises I love back from the original one, so that one stays on the board. I do think the work that Double Fine’s doing and how Tim [Schafer] kind of solicits feedback from the team. And the other one, I’ll say because I was recently out at Rare. It’s nice to see the team with Everwild and the progress that they’re making.”
The evolution of Everwild has not been without its challenges. Despite rumors suggesting a reboot, Microsoft has firmly denied such claims. The exit of Simon Woodroffe, the creative director in 2020, further fueled uncertainty about the game’s progression. However, Gregg Mayles, a prolific designer behind beloved titles like Donkey Kong Country and Banjo-Kazooie, now helms the project, steering it to promising new heights.
Though specifics about the game remain tightly under wraps, Everwild is speculated to be a third-person adventure with god game elements. The last glimpse into its magical world was a trailer from July 2020, hinting at a natural and unforgettable experience from this fresh intellectual property developed by Rare.
Phil Spencer emphasized Microsoft’s strategy to allot necessary development time to teams behind key titles such as State of Decay, Double Fine’s forthcoming games, and of course, Everwild. Bolstered by strategic acquisitions, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, Microsoft maintains a dynamic release schedule, reassuring gamers of a bountiful gaming horizon.
As the gaming giant continues its expansive journey, with titles like the Perfect Dark reboot, a new Halo installment, and Playground’s ambitious Fable game, Everwild stands out as an enigmatic jewel in Microsoft’s crown. Whether or not it meets its monumental expectations, Spencer’s update certainly sustains hope that Everwild will soon reveal the wondrous experiences it promises.
Wesley Yin-Poole, UK News Editor at IGN, provides detailed coverage on this narrative. Connect with him on Twitter at @wyp100 or reach out via email at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com for more intriguing stories from the gaming universe.
