Everwild Cancelled Amid Xbox Layoffs – Rare’s Game Axed
▼ Summary
– Rare’s fantasy adventure game Everwild has been cancelled following layoffs at Xbox.
– Microsoft’s gaming division layoffs affected multiple studios, including King and Zenimax, leading to Everwild’s cancellation.
– Xbox executive Matt Booty confirmed the cancellation in a memo, also mentioning the end of Perfect Dark and other unannounced projects.
– Everwild, first revealed in 2019, was Rare’s next major project and featured mystical beings called Eternals connected to nature.
– Despite Phil Spencer’s February 2024 update on progress, no further details were shared before the game’s cancellation.
The highly anticipated fantasy adventure Everwild from Rare has officially been shelved as part of broader Xbox studio restructuring. Reports confirm the project’s cancellation following Microsoft’s recent workforce reductions across its gaming divisions, including teams at King and Zenimax.
Multiple industry sources, including VGC and Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, have verified the news. Xbox executive Matt Booty addressed the decision in an internal memo obtained by Variety, stating that development on Everwild and Perfect Dark would cease alongside several undisclosed projects.
Originally unveiled in 2019, Everwild was positioned as Rare’s next major title, intended to complement the studio’s ongoing work on Sea of Thieves. A 2020 trailer showcased its mystical world, featuring the Eternals, guardians attuned to nature’s magic, as they healed creatures and uncovered ancient mysteries. Despite the early hype, updates on the game remained scarce over the years.
Earlier this year, Xbox chief Phil Spencer briefly mentioned progress during a visit to Rare, expressing optimism about the team’s direction. “Seeing the strides they’re making with Everwild has been encouraging,” he remarked at the time. However, the project’s prolonged development cycle and shifting priorities ultimately led to its demise.
Microsoft has yet to issue an official statement regarding the cancellation. As details emerge, further updates are expected.
(Source: EUROGAMER)
