Everwild Xbox Exclusive Apparently Delayed Until 2024
If you're wondering where the Xbox-exclusive Everwild was at this year's E3, it turns out there was a very good reason the next-gen title missed out on the all-star showcase. Microsoft was already tipped to have a massive E3, and while some have failed to deliver (we're naming no names), the gaming giant arguably surpassed expectations.
With a closer look at a revamped Halo Infinite, a first real reveal of Starfield, and the announcement of Redfall, the Microsoft showcase nearly had it all. Alongside a disappointing lack of information on The Elder Scrolls 6, fans noted that Everwild was bizarrely missing in action.
Has Everwild been delayed?
With Rare first announcing Everwild during 2019's X019, we'd expected a pretty major update at this year's E3. Instead, VGC reports the team is starting from scratch and Everwild has been delayed until 2024. The damning prognosis claims Everwild has been "completely rebooted" - suggesting what we've seen so far might not represent the finished product.
Explaining what's going on with the troubled title, VGC says the departure of Creative Director Simon Woodroffe means Everwild has effectively “restarted from scratch”. If this is the case, it will be several years until the action-adventure game is released. It's led to a mythical release of 2024.
Everwild being delayed is backed up by journalist Jeff Grubb, who corroborates development taking a lot longer than we'd first thought. Speaking to VGC, Everwild Executive Producer, Louise O’Connor, confirmed the appointment of Gregg Mayles as the new head.
"The team behind Everwild continue to shape a truly magical experience and remain focused and excited about creating a new game centred around a truly unique, new world", said O'Connor.
"Gregg Mayles joined us, late last year as Creative Director, and the team has never been stronger. Since showing the world our Eternals trailer, we have been making progress on all aspects of Everwild.
"The team continues to work hard to realise our vision and to bring the magic of nature in Everwild to life for players around the world".
What is Everwild?
Aside from being described as "unique and unforgettable experiences await in a natural and magical world", Everwild is shrouded in mystery. Tipped to launch as a Day One release on Xbox Game Pass, this is a brand-new IP from Rare. Back in the day, Rare was remembered for acclaimed titles like GoldenEye 007 and Banjo-Kazooie, however, it has recently struggled to return to its glory days.
While E3 announced Captain Jack Sparrow for Rare's Sea of Thieves, that was about it in terms of updates from the developer. If Everwild is in as much trouble as the rumours suggest, it would explain why things were silent during the showcase. There seems to be a struggle to define Everwild's vision. VGC says it was billed as a "third-person adventure with god game elements" last year, however, an apparent mandate that it can't include any combat has led to several "road blocks in design".
Everwild being bumped back to 2024 would mark a whole decade of development. Considering Bethesda's notoriously lengthy development process with its games, 10 years isn't technically that bad, considering Everwild could be completely rebooted. We'll have to wait and see what's next for this troubled title.
Images via Rare