Rare's Everwild has been a topic of curiosity and speculation since its announcement at Microsoft's X019 event over five years ago. Despite repeated absences from Xbox showcases and swirling rumors of reboots, Xbox head Phil Spencer has reassured fans that the project is still very much alive.
In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for several upcoming titles, including Everwild. He mentioned a visit to Rare's UK studio, where he was able to see the progress being made on the game. Rare, known for their live service pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves, is diligently working on Everwild, and Spencer's comments suggest a positive outlook on its development.
Spencer highlighted the importance of giving development teams ample time to refine their projects. He mentioned other titles like State of Decay and the next game from Double Fine, indicating that Microsoft's strategy includes allowing these teams the necessary time to perfect their work, despite a busy release schedule bolstered by the acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Everwild has faced its share of challenges, including the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020. However, Rare has since appointed veteran designer Gregg Mayles, known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves, to lead the project.
As for what Everwild entails, initial reports described it as 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, released in July 2020, teased "a unique and unforgettable experience in a natural and magical world."
Microsoft's portfolio of in-development games is vast, including the Perfect Dark reboot, the next Halo, 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, fans can look forward to id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages, set to launch in May.
With these updates, it's clear that Everwild remains a significant part of Microsoft's gaming future, and fans can anticipate more news as the project continues to progress.
