Rare’s fantasy adventure Everwild has reportedly been cancelled following layoffs at Xbox.
Microsoft began making layoffs across its gaming division today, with staff at the likes of King and Zenimax reportedly affected. It now appears that Everwild is another casualty of these reductions.
VGC initially shared news of Everwild’s alleged cancellation, and Eurogamer sources have since corroborated these reports. Bloomberg’s Jason Schrier has additionally been told of the game’s cancellation, citing those familiar with the matter.
Everwild was first revealed in late 2019. At this time, Everwild was said to be the next “large” game from Rare, and one that would co-exist with the ongoing development of Sea of Thieves.
Everwild then surfaced again in 2020, with a trailer showing groups of Eternals – beings with the gift “to sense and feel how magic flows through nature and connects every living thing” – working together to heal a deer-like creature, and discovering a stag mural in some old ruins.
Since then, very little has been shared about Rare’s game, although in February of this year, Xbox head Phil Spencer assured the community the Everwild team was making progress. “I was recently out at Rare. It’s nice to see the team with Everwild and the progress that they’re making,” Spencer said at the time. “It has been [a while]. And we’ve been able to give those teams time in what they’re doing which is good and still have a portfolio like we have.
“It’s like a dream that Matt [Booty] and I have had for a long time, so it’s finally good to be there. We can give those teams time.”
Eurogamer has asked Xbox for comment on Everwild’s reported cancellation, and will update when we know more.