Sea of Thieves Dev Shares Somber Response to Xbox Layoffs
▼ Summary
– Rare confirmed the cancellation of its long-in-development game Everwild due to Microsoft’s mass layoffs, as announced by production director Drew Stevens.
– Everwild, revealed in 2019, struggled with direction and saw minimal updates before being discontinued, according to sources.
– The cancellation did not directly affect Sea of Thieves, which continues development as planned, though Rare acknowledged the emotional impact on the team.
– Microsoft also canceled projects like a new MMO from ZeniMax Online Studios and a Perfect Dark reboot, alongside widespread layoffs across its studios.
– The layoffs, part of Microsoft’s broader downsizing affecting 9,000+ employees, coincide with increased AI investments, with some roles reportedly being replaced by AI systems.
The team behind Sea of Thieves has broken its silence following Microsoft’s sweeping layoffs, which included the abrupt cancellation of Rare’s long-awaited project, Everwild. During a recent developer update, production director Drew Stevens took a moment to address the studio’s shifting priorities and the emotional toll these changes have taken on employees.
Stevens opened the discussion by acknowledging the elephant in the room. “It wouldn’t feel right to dive into our usual updates without recognizing the news about Everwild,” he shared. The game, first unveiled in 2019, had struggled to find its footing despite early excitement. After years of silence beyond a single 2020 trailer, sources revealed the project faced creative roadblocks, ultimately leading to its termination.
While Everwild‘s cancellation didn’t disrupt Sea of Thieves‘ ongoing development, Stevens emphasized the human cost of these decisions. “Our priority right now is supporting those whose jobs are at risk,” he said, adding that the studio-wide impact was undeniable. “These changes send ripples through the entire team, and we’re all feeling it in different ways.”
The director also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans and colleagues. “The messages checking in on us have been incredibly meaningful, thank you,” he noted.
Microsoft’s restructuring didn’t stop at Rare. The company axed multiple projects across its gaming division, including an unannounced MMO from The Elder Scrolls Online’s ZeniMax Online Studios and a reboot of Perfect Dark. The layoffs, part of a broader reduction affecting over 9,000 employees, coincided with Microsoft’s heavy investments in AI. Some affected developers at King, the studio behind Candy Crush, claim their roles are being filled by the very AI systems they helped build.
The gaming industry continues to grapple with instability, and Rare’s somber reflection underscores the personal toll behind corporate decisions. For now, the studio remains committed to Sea of Thieves while navigating an uncertain future.
(Source: GameSpot)
