Everwild Bites the Dust: Was Rare's Ambition Too Wild for Xbox?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Rare's Everwild has been cancelled amidst Xbox layoffs, leaving gamers wondering what went wrong with the ambitious fantasy adventure. It's a harsh reminder that even the most promising projects can fall victim to shifting priorities and the volatile nature of game development.
Right, so the gaming gods have spoken (or rather, Microsoft did), and it looks like Rare's Everwild is officially no more. After years of hushed whispers and tantalizing trailers that left us scratching our heads in the best way, the plug's been pulled. Sad times, eh? This news, broken by Eurogamer, comes in the wake of widespread layoffs across Xbox's gaming division, affecting studios like King and Zenimax.
Remember that gorgeous, almost Studio Ghibli-esque trailer from way back in 2019? That was the first glimpse we got of Everwild, billed as Rare's next big adventure alongside Sea of Thieves. Then, in 2020, we got another trailer showcasing the Eternals, these magical beings connected to nature. It all looked stunning, but details remained frustratingly vague. Like trying to understand a wizard's riddle after a pint of ale.
Since then? Radio silence, mostly. Xbox head Phil Spencer popped up earlier this year, assuring us that the Everwild team was making progress. Famous last words, eh? Turns out, behind the scenes, things weren't exactly blooming. Xbox exec Matt Booty (yes, that’s his real name and I can’t help but chuckle) confirmed the cancellation in a memo to staff, mentioning both Perfect Dark (another project facing uncertainty) and Everwild. Ouch. “We have made the decision to stop development of Perfect Dark and Everwild as well as wind down several unannounced projects across our portfolio,” Booty wrote (via Variety).
Look, job cuts are never a good thing, and it's a harsh reminder that even in the seemingly limitless world of gaming, projects can get the axe. And while it’s easy to jump to conclusions, the truth is, game development is a messy business. Sometimes the vision just doesn't quite materialize as planned, or perhaps priorities shift. Maybe it was too ambitious, maybe it wasn't the right fit. Whatever the reason, it's a shame to see what looked like such a promising and unique title vanish into the ether. But hey, at least we'll always have the memories (and the trailers) of what *could* have been.
Eurogamer has reached out to Xbox for comment, and we'll be watching like hawks for any further updates. Until then, pour one out for Everwild. It had the magic touch on the surface, but alas, something went amiss behind the scenes.
Tags: Everwild, Rare, Xbox, Game Cancellation, Layoffs
Original article: Eurogamer