Gregg Mayles, the Mind Behind *Banjo-Kazooie* and *Sea of Thieves*, Sets Sail From Rare After 35 Years – Bloody Hell!
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Gregg Mayles, the legend behind *Banjo-Kazooie* and *Sea of Thieves*, is reportedly leaving Rare amidst Microsoft layoffs, and it's a proper kick in the teeth for the studio and gaming history. Louise O'Connor, another veteran, is also departing, leaving us wondering what the future holds for Rare.
Right, so gaming legend Gregg Mayles, the bloke who practically *is* Rare, is reportedly leaving the studio after a stonking 35 years. I reckon that's longer than some of you lot have been alive! Now, before you start blaming gremlins in the system, it seems this is fallout from the recent Microsoft layoffs, as *Eurogamer* reports.
Mayles isn't just any developer; he's the director behind absolute classics like *Banjo-Kazooie* and *Sea of Thieves*, and he had a fair hand in *Donkey Kong 64*, too. That's a legacy worth celebrating, even if the circumstances are a bit grim. It feels like losing a chunk of gaming history, doesn't it?
Apparently, Louise O'Connor, executive producer at Rare since 1999 (yep, the *Conker's Bad Fur Day* days!), is also departing. That's a double whammy for the studio. Losing one experienced hand is bad enough, but two? Ouch.
Now, I'm not going to sugarcoat it: this stinks of corporate restructuring gone wrong. Xbox exec Matt Booty sent out a memo confirming the cancellation of *Everwild* (which Mayles was directing) and *Perfect Dark*, along with a few other unannounced projects. Booty said they are shuttering The Initiative game studio, and are shifting priorities. It's the same old song and dance: "adjusting priorities" and "focusing resources." But let's be fair dinkum, we all know what that usually means.
These layoffs come after another round of cuts back in May, where Xbox trimmed 3% of its workforce. It paints a pretty bleak picture of the current state of affairs, doesn't it? And it leaves you wondering what this means for the future of Rare. Will they still be able to capture that same magic that made them legends in the first place?
Look, I'm not saying the sky is falling. Rare still has talented people, and they're still capable of making great games. But losing someone like Gregg Mayles is a massive blow, no two ways about it. Here's hoping he finds a new project where his creativity can truly shine. Maybe he'll even pop up in the Web3 gaming space and give some of these so-called "AAA" studios a run for their money!
Tags: Gregg Mayles, Rare, Banjo-Kazooie, Sea of Thieves, Layoffs
Original article: Eurogamer