It’s been nearly six years since Rare first unveiled Everwild, and for much of that time, fans have been left wondering if the ambitious fantasy title was quietly shelved. But Xbox’s gaming boss, Phil Spencer, has finally broken the silence—confirming that the game is still in active development.
Rare’s Enigmatic Adventure Lives On
First teased back in late 2019, Everwild immediately stood out. The reveal trailer showcased a lush, dreamlike world, teeming with magical wildlife and serene landscapes. A second trailer in 2020 offered slightly more insight, but beyond that, updates have been scarce.
Now, Spencer has provided a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Speaking on the XboxEra podcast, he confirmed that the team at Rare is making progress, even if it’s taken longer than expected.
“I was recently out at Rare,” Spencer said. “It’s nice to see the team with Everwild and the progress that they’re making.”
That’s a relief for those who feared the worst. Long development cycles often spark concerns, and Everwild has been MIA for years. But Spencer’s comments suggest that the game isn’t just surviving—it’s moving forward.
Why Has Everwild Taken So Long?
Game development is unpredictable. Sometimes, projects face internal struggles, creative reboots, or technical roadblocks. In Everwild‘s case, reports in 2021 suggested that the team was rethinking the game’s core mechanics.
Unlike Sea of Thieves, which had a clear multiplayer-driven design, Everwild has been harder to define. Is it an open-world exploration game? A survival experience? A narrative adventure? Rare has never been explicit about what players will actually do in Everwild, and that ambiguity may have slowed things down.
Spencer’s remarks suggest that Xbox leadership is prioritizing giving studios the time they need. “We’ve been able to give those teams time in what they’re doing, which is good,” he explained.
Xbox’s Strategy Shift: More Games, More Platforms
Spencer’s comments about Everwild came during a broader conversation about Xbox’s first-party lineup. He acknowledged that it’s been a long road, but the company remains committed to its developers.
Interestingly, Spencer also touched on Xbox’s evolving business model. Historically, Microsoft has pushed to keep its biggest games exclusive to its own ecosystem. But now? The strategy is shifting.
He admitted that Xbox is no longer trying to “move [PS5 and PC players] all over to Xbox,” instead focusing on bringing its games to as many players as possible. That means more Xbox titles could land on competitor platforms—a move that some hardcore fans see as controversial.
Of course, there’s a business angle to it all. Spencer noted that while Xbox only recoups 70 percent of sales when selling on PlayStation or PC storefronts, that’s still money that helps Xbox “build great portfolios.”
What’s Next for Everwild?
There’s still no release window, no new trailer, and no concrete details on gameplay. But at least now, fans can stop worrying about Everwild’s fate.
With Fable, Avowed, and Indiana Jones also in the pipeline, Xbox’s upcoming catalog is stacked. But with Rare’s track record and Spencer’s reassurance, Everwild might still be one of the most intriguing projects in the works.
For now, patience remains key.
