Microsoft has canceled Rare’s long-running project Everwild as part of massive layoffs across Xbox, affecting thousands of employees worldwide.
It looks like Rare’s mysterious project Everwild is no longer moving forward. The game, which was officially revealed back in 2019, had been in development for years and gone through several creative overhauls. Built as a brand-new IP from the studio behind Sea of Thieves, Everwild had intrigued fans with its gorgeous art style and mythical setting, even if details about the gameplay remained unclear.
Behind the scenes, the road wasn’t smooth. Reports suggested the game was rebooted in 2021 under longtime Rare designer Gregg Mayles, with the team struggling to lock down a clear direction.
Now, after nearly a decade of development, it seems Microsoft has pulled the plug on the project, right as the company confirmed a massive new wave of layoffs hitting its Xbox division.
Everwild Canceled Amid Rare Layoffs
A new report from VGC claims that Everwild has been canceled as part of internal cuts at Rare. Sources familiar with the situation have said that staff were informed that the project was no longer in development. While Microsoft hasn’t made an official statement yet, the timing aligns with the broader layoffs confirmed earlier today.
This all ties back to a much bigger picture. Microsoft has now confirmed it’s laying off thousands of employees, around 9,000 workers worldwide, which also includes the Xbox teams, including studios like King, ZeniMax, and now Rare.
While not every project has been impacted, it’s clear the cuts are hitting across the board.
What are your thoughts on Microsoft canceling Everwild after so many years? Let us know in the comments.
