It's been over five years since Rare's Everwild was first announced at Microsoft's X019 presentation, and the game's prolonged absence from Xbox showcases, coupled with rumors of reboots, has led to speculation about its status. However, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has reassured fans that Everwild is still in active development.
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 saw firsthand the progress being made on the game. Rare, known for its live service pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves, is clearly still dedicated to bringing Everwild to life.
Spencer highlighted other projects as well, such as State of Decay and the next game from Double Fine, led by Tim Schafer. He emphasized Microsoft's commitment to giving these development teams the time they need, even with a packed 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 and subsequent 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 taken over the director's role.
As for what Everwild entails, it's described as a third-person adventure game with elements of a god game. However, given the extended development period, the final product may differ from initial concepts. The last trailer, released in July 2020, promised "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, 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.
With Everwild still on the horizon, fans can look forward to more updates as Rare continues to refine this much-anticipated title.
