Rare's Everwild Update From Phil Spencer

What's the latest on Rare's Everwild? Over five years have passed since its initial reveal at Microsoft's X019 event, and its repeated absence from Xbox showcases has sparked concerns about potential cancellation amidst whispers of development reboots. However, Xbox chief Phil Spencer assures fans the project remains very much alive.

Speaking with XboxEra, Spencer included Everwild among his most anticipated upcoming titles, revealing he recently visited Rare's UK studios - the team behind Sea of Thieves - to check on the game's development progress.

"State of Decay remains one of my favorite franchises since the original," Spencer remarked. "I'm equally excited about Double Fine's current project and Tim Schafer's collaborative approach with his team. And Everwild - I just saw firsthand the incredible work Rare is doing during my recent studio visit."

Spencer emphasized Microsoft's strategy of giving development teams breathing room despite its busy release calendar (which expanded significantly with the Bethesda and Activision Blizzard acquisitions).

"We're committed to giving our studios the time they need," Spencer continued. "Next I'll be checking in with The Coalition up in Vancouver - always exciting to see what they're cooking up."

Everwild's development journey hasn't been without challenges. Beyond persistent reboot rumors (which Microsoft denies), creative director Simon Woodroffe departed in 2020. Rare subsequently appointed industry veteran Gregg Mayles - known for his work on Banjo-Kazooie and Sea of Thieves - to helm the project.

Details about Everwild's gameplay remain scarce. Early reports suggested a third-person adventure with god-game mechanics, though these elements may have evolved during its prolonged development. The most recent trailer from July 2020 described it as: "A brand new IP from Rare promising a unique experience set in a natural, magical world."

Microsoft's development pipeline remains packed, featuring projects like the Perfect Dark reboot, a new Halo installment, and Playground Games' Fable revival. Bethesda continues work on The Elder Scrolls VI, while Activision prepares its annual Call of Duty release. More imminently, id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages arrives this May.