Xbox's Abandonment of Everwild Leaves Favored Development Team in Doubt and Questions Regarding its Future, Suggesting a Need for Innovative Titles to Bolster its Success and Reinvent its Image
In a surprising move that has left many gamers and industry watchers questioning, Microsoft has announced the cancellation of Everwild, a highly anticipated action-adventure title from Rare, one of its premier studios.
Originally announced in 2019, Everwild was expected to stand out from Xbox Game Studios' other titles, promising a unique and immersive experience. Developed over the course of about 11 years, including a full reboot, the game had been the subject of six years of marketing efforts. However, prolonged development challenges and corporate restructuring at Microsoft led to its cancellation.
The decision was not made lightly. High costs to complete and market the game, coupled with strategic decisions amid large-scale layoffs across Microsoft and Xbox teams, including Rare, played significant roles in the cancellation. Reports suggest that even if Everwild was progressing, the financial investment required to finish the project and bring it to market was deemed too high relative to expected returns.
The cancellation has raised concerns about Xbox's ability to nurture fresh, creative projects that differentiate its studios, especially given Rare's historical significance for innovative and beloved games like Donkey Kong Country and Sea of Thieves. Rare, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2002, has only released one major title since Sea of Thieves (2018), leaving the studio's next steps unclear and putting its creative output under scrutiny.
The cancellation highlights a potential risk that Xbox Game Studios might prioritize cost-efficiency over riskier creative ventures, which could affect the identity and appeal of their future titles. It is a critical moment for Rare and Xbox to balance creative innovation with business realities as they plan future game development.
Amidst this news, there is hope that Rare can continue to use its talented people to create more adventures that pull players in and keep them coming back for more. The upcoming releases of Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X PC gaming handheld this holiday season are eagerly anticipated, with many hoping they will mark a turnaround year for Xbox.
Despite the cancellation, the writer remains optimistic about new story ideas and game announcements from Rare and other Xbox Game Studios developers in the coming months. The writer's lifelong attraction to Rare games, known for their creativity and unique experiences, remains undiminished.
The cancellation of Everwild is not an isolated incident. The gaming industry is currently grappling with a pile of studio closures and cancelled projects, especially with Xbox. News about Everwild's development has been few and far between, and it has been several years since the title was first announced.
As Xbox Game Studios navigates these challenging times, it is crucial that they continue to invest in and support creative, innovative projects that will keep gamers engaged and excited for what's next. The future of Rare and Xbox Game Studios is uncertain, but with the right balance of creativity and business acumen, they have the potential to continue to shape the world of gaming for years to come.
- Microsoft's cancellation of Everwild, initially announced as an action-adventure title from Rare, raises questions about Xbox's commitment to nurturing creative, innovative games, particularly from long-established studios like Rare.
- The decision to cancel Everwild, a game developed over eleven years and the subject of six years of marketing efforts, was made due to prolonged development challenges, corporate restructuring, and fiscal considerations.
- Despite the cancellation, hopes remain for new, engaging game announcements from Rare and other Xbox Game Studios developers, who are known for delivering unique experiences in the entertainment industry, including gaming and technology.
- In the face of studio closures and cancelled projects within the gaming industry, it is essential for Xbox Game Studios to continue investing in and supporting creative, risk-taking projects that will maintain gamer interest and strengthen their identity in the world of gaming.
