Phil Spencer Updates on Rare's Everwild Development Progress

Rare's Everwild has been a topic of much speculation and concern since its announcement at Microsoft's X019 event over five years ago. Despite repeated absences from Xbox showcases and rumors of reboots, Xbox boss 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 Everwild, alongside other upcoming titles. He mentioned a visit to Rare's UK studio, where he observed the development of Everwild firsthand. Spencer highlighted the studio's ongoing work on the live service pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves, emphasizing the positive progress on Everwild.

Spencer's enthusiasm extends beyond Everwild to other franchises like State of Decay and the next game from Double Fine. He noted Microsoft's strategy of allowing developers ample time to refine their projects, even amidst a robust release schedule bolstered by acquisitions such as Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. Spencer also mentioned an upcoming visit to The Coalition in Vancouver, further showcasing Microsoft's commitment to its diverse portfolio of games.

Everwild has faced its share of challenges, including a rumored reboot that Microsoft denied, and the departure of its creative director, Simon Woodroffe, in 2020. Veteran designer Gregg Mayles, known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves, has since taken over as director.

While the specifics of Everwild remain somewhat mysterious, 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" in a "natural and magical world." Given the extended development time, 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 installment, 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.