Phil Spencer Updates on Rare's Everwild Development Progress

Everwild, announced by Rare during Microsoft's X019 presentation over five years ago, has been the subject of much speculation due to its absence from recent Xbox showcases and rumors of a reboot. However, 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 Everwild, mentioning a visit to Rare's UK studio, known for their live service pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves. He highlighted the progress the team is making on Everwild, alongside other anticipated titles like State of Decay and the next game from Double Fine. Spencer emphasized Microsoft's commitment to giving their development teams the necessary time to perfect their games, even with a packed release schedule bolstered by the acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

Despite concerns sparked by the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020 and reboot rumors (which Microsoft has denied), Rare has entrusted the project to veteran designer Gregg Mayles, who has a storied history with titles like Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves.

As for what Everwild entails, it was initially described as a third-person adventure game with god game elements. The last trailer from July 2020 promised "a unique and unforgettable experience" in a "natural and magical world." Given the extended development period, the final product may differ from these early descriptions.

Microsoft's lineup of in-development games is extensive, 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.