Following the news of more mass layoffs across Microsoft, one highly-anticipated game has been cancelled after being in development for over a decade.
Yesterday saw the heartbreaking news that more mass layoffs were taking place across various Xbox divisions.
It is yet another blow for the gaming industry and an even bigger one for UK developer Rare who received news that its game Everwild would be getting cancelled.
This was confirmed by a statement from head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty which was taken from a memo sent to all Microsoft gaming staff.
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“Following Phil’s [Spencer] note, I want to share more about the changes to the Studios business units.
We have made the decision to stop development of Perfect Dark and Everwild as well as wind down several unannounced projects across our portfolio. As part of this, we are closing one of our studios, The Initiative.
These decisions, along with other changes across our teams, reflect a broader effort to adjust priorities and focus resources to set up our teams for greater success within a changing industry landscape.
We did not make these choices lightly, as each project and team represent years of effort, imagination, and commitment.”
Rare, who is best known for the action-adventure game Sea of Thieves, has been working on Everwild behind the scenes and it was rumoured to be a third-person adventure game but other than that, details had remained scarce.
In the last Everwilds trailer to be released, the description read as follows:
“Everwild is a brand new IP from Rare. A unique and unforgettable experience awaits in a natural and magical world.”
Unfortunately, it seems as though the game will never come to be following the mass cuts and layoffs which is yet another blow to the gaming industry and to the fans who were excited to see Everwilds released.
We are sending our thoughts to those affected.
In the meantime, fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the news of Everwilds’ cancellation.
“That's too bad, the game looks good,” one user said.
Another user summed it up for us all when they said, “Sad to hear this. Everwild had so much potential and such a unique visual style. Hope the devs land on their feet.”
