It's been over five years since Rare's Everwild was announced during Microsoft's X019 presentation, and the game's repeated 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 development.
In an interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed his excitement for Everwild, mentioning a recent visit to Rare's UK studio, where he saw the progress being made on the game. He highlighted Everwild alongside other anticipated titles like State of Decay and the next game from Double Fine, emphasizing Microsoft's commitment to giving these teams the time they need to develop their projects. Spencer's visit to Rare, known for its live service pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves, underscores the ongoing work on Everwild.
Despite concerns over the years, including a rumored reboot that Microsoft denied and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020, Rare has moved forward with veteran designer Gregg Mayles taking the helm. Mayles, with his experience on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves, brings a wealth of expertise to the project.
Everwild is described as a third-person adventure game with elements of a god game, though its long development cycle may have led to changes. 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, showcasing Microsoft's busy schedule of releases.
With Spencer's recent comments and the ongoing work at Rare, fans can look forward to more updates on Everwild as it continues to take shape.
