Phil Spencer Updates on Rare's Everwild Progress

If you've been following the gaming world, you might remember the buzz surrounding Rare's Everwild when it was first teased back in 2019 during Microsoft's X019 event. Fast forward over five years, and despite its absence from major showcases and whispers of setbacks, the game hasn’t been shelved, as Xbox chief Phil Spencer recently confirmed. During an interview with XboxEra, Spencer expressed excitement about Everwild, noting he recently visited Rare’s UK studio to witness firsthand the progress being made on this highly anticipated title.

“Yeah, State of Decay is just one of the franchises I love back from the original one, so that one stays on the board. I do think the work that Double Fine’s doing and how Tim [Schafer] kind of solicits feedback from the team. And the other one, I’ll say because I was recently out at Rare. It’s nice to see the team with Everwild and the progress that they’re making.”

Spencer emphasized that while Microsoft maintains a robust release schedule—bolstered by recent acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard—they still prioritize giving development teams the time they need to create exceptional experiences. This includes projects like State of Decay, the upcoming game from Double Fine, and Everwild.

Despite challenges, such as the rumored reboot and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020, Rare has continued to push forward under the leadership of veteran designer Gregg Mayles, known for his work on iconic titles like Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves.

While details remain scarce, early reports suggest Everwild is a third-person adventure game with elements of god game mechanics. The last trailer, released in July 2020, described it as "a brand new IP from Rare. A unique and unforgettable experience awaits in a natural and magical world." As Microsoft continues to expand its gaming portfolio with projects like the Perfect Dark reboot, the next Halo, and Playground Games' Fable, fans eagerly anticipate what Everwild will bring to the table.

In the meantime, the gaming landscape remains vibrant with other exciting releases, including id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages, set to launch in May. Stay tuned for more updates as Everwild inches closer to its eventual debut.