Rare’s ambitious new franchise, Everwild, has been abruptly canceled by Microsoft as part of the same restructuring that shuttered Perfect Dark and closed The Initiative.
Developed since about 2014 and officially announced in 2019, Everwild promised players an enchanting third-person adventure about nurturing magical wildlife, shaping ecosystems, and forging mystical connections. Early materials suggested a tone similar to the gentle simulation Viva Piñata, but hints at richer “God game” mechanics surfaced during genre evolution.
Despite Rare’s pedigree, development was stalled for years. Leadership changes, reboots, and unclear direction pushed the game’s release beyond its 2023 target date. Though Rare remains operational, Everwild—like Perfect Dark—has been cut to focus resources on fewer high-priority titles.
The cancellation highlights a significant shift in Microsoft’s strategy: reducing investment in risk-heavy, experimental IPs, even from long-standing studios, to double down on established franchises and subscription-focused content.
For fans, it’s a major disappointment—a world that inspired hope for something whimsical and innovative will now never materialize. And for Rare, losing nearly a decade of development is a sobering blow—possibly keeping them anchored to safer, derivative projects for the foreseeable future.
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