What happened to Rare’s Everwild? Announced over five years ago at Microsoft’s X019 presentation, its absence from subsequent Xbox showcases and swirling reboot rumors have fueled speculation about its fate. However, Xbox boss Phil Spencer assures us the game is still alive.

In an interview with XboxEra, Spencer cited Everwild as one of his most anticipated upcoming titles. He recently visited Rare, the UK studio behind Sea of Thieves, to assess the game's progress. He highlighted the studio's dedication, stating, “It’s nice to see the team with Everwild and the progress that they’re making.” He also mentioned the time afforded to developers of Everwild, State of Decay, and the next Double Fine project, emphasizing Microsoft's ability to balance a packed release schedule with the development of these titles. This is despite recent acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. “We can give those teams time,” Spencer confirmed.

Everwild's journey has been marked by challenges. Following a denied reboot rumor and the departure of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020, veteran designer Gregg Mayles (known for his work on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, and Sea of Thieves) stepped in to lead the project.

So, what exactly is Everwild? Early reports described it as a third-person adventure game incorporating god game elements. However, given its extended development, this description may have evolved. The last trailer, released in July 2020, simply stated: “Everwild is a brand new IP from Rare. A unique and unforgettable experience awaits in a natural and magical world.”

Everwild shares the development pipeline with a host of other Microsoft titles, including the Perfect Dark reboot, the next Halo installment, Playground's new Fable game, Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls VI, and Activision’s annual Call of Duty release. In the nearer term, id Software's Doom: The Dark Ages is slated for a May launch.