Everwild's Development: An Update from Xbox
Over five years since its X019 announcement, Rare's Everwild has faced speculation regarding its status. Repeated absences from Xbox showcases and reboot rumors fueled concerns about its future. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer recently confirmed the game's ongoing development.
In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for Everwild, highlighting a recent visit to Rare Studios to assess the project's progress. He emphasized Microsoft's ability to provide development time to studios like Rare, Double Fine, and the State of Decay team, despite a busy release schedule fueled by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. Spencer specifically mentioned the positive progress being made on Everwild.
The game'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 with god game elements, the extended development time may have resulted in significant changes. The last trailer, released in July 2020, simply described Everwild as "a brand new IP from Rare. A unique and unforgettable experience await in a natural and magical world."
With Microsoft's extensive development pipeline, including Perfect Dark, the next Halo installment, Playground Games' Fable, Bethesda's Elder Scrolls 6, and Activision's annual Call of Duty release, Everwild's release date remains unannounced. However, Spencer's comments offer reassurance that the game is actively progressing.
