Phil Spencer Updates on Rare's Everwild Development

Ever since its announcement at Microsoft's X019 event over five years ago, fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on Rare's mysterious project, Everwild. The game's absence from recent Xbox showcases and swirling rumors of reboots have led many to speculate about its fate. However, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has reassured fans that Everwild is far from abandoned.

In a recent interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for several upcoming titles, including Everwild. He mentioned a recent visit to Rare's UK studio, where he got a firsthand look at the progress being made on the game. Rare, known for its live service pirate adventure, Sea of Thieves, is diligently working on Everwild, and Spencer's enthusiasm suggests that the project is still a priority for Microsoft.

Spencer highlighted other projects in development, such as State of Decay and the next game from Double Fine, led by Tim Schafer. He emphasized Microsoft's strategy of giving developers ample time to perfect their games, even with a robust release schedule bolstered by acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. "We can give those teams time," Spencer stated, indicating his upcoming visit to The Coalition in Vancouver, the developers behind Gears of War.

Everwild has faced its share of challenges, including the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020 and rumors of a reboot, which Microsoft has denied. Veteran designer Gregg Mayles, with a rich history on projects like Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves, has stepped in to lead the project.

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, the final product may differ from early descriptions. The last trailer, released in July 2020, described Everwild as "a brand new IP from Rare" promising "a unique and unforgettable experience" in a "natural and magical world."

Microsoft's portfolio of in-development games is extensive, including the Perfect Dark reboot, the next Halo installment, and Playground's new Fable game. Bethesda is also working on The Elder Scrolls 6, while 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, keeping fans eagerly anticipating what's next from Microsoft's diverse lineup of titles.