The journey of Rare's Everwild has been a topic of much speculation and interest since its announcement at Microsoft's X019 event over five years ago. Despite its absence from subsequent Xbox showcases and swirling rumors of reboots, Xbox head Phil Spencer has reassured fans that the project is still very much alive and progressing.
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 had the opportunity to see firsthand the advancements being made on Everwild. This visit also allowed him to check in on Rare's other successful title, the live service pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves.
Spencer emphasized Microsoft's commitment to giving development teams the time they need to perfect their games, even amidst a busy release schedule enhanced by the acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. He highlighted other projects like State of Decay and the next game from Double Fine, indicating a robust pipeline of upcoming releases.
Everwild itself has faced its share of challenges, including the departure of its 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 Piñata, and Sea of Thieves, to lead the project.
While details about Everwild remain somewhat elusive, it was initially described as a third-person adventure game with elements of a god game. The last trailer, released in July 2020, promised "a unique and unforgettable experience" set in a "natural and magical world." Given the extended development period, it's possible that the game's concept has evolved.
Microsoft's portfolio of in-development games is extensive, including the Perfect Dark reboot, the next installment in the Halo series, and Playground Games' new Fable title. 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.
As Everwild continues its development journey, fans remain eager to see what Rare has in store with this promising new IP.
