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Rare studio responds to Everwild's cancellation

Rare discusses the impact of Everwild's cancellation amidst significant layoffs at Xbox.

July 15, 2025 at 06:11 PM

Another Xbox studio reacts to the layoffs exploding around it: with Rare's Everwild dead, Sea of Thieves dev says "it's impossible for something like this not to ripple through the studio"

Rare addresses the aftermath of Everwild's cancellation amid widespread layoffs at Xbox.

Rare studio speaks out after Everwild cancellation

Rare, the studio behind Sea of Thieves, has publicly responded to the cancellation of Everwild, a project it had been developing since 2014. The game was among many casualties in Microsoft's recent layoffs, which affected around 9,000 employees. During a developer update, Rare's production director Drew Stevens emphasized the impact of losing Everwild on the studio's morale and expressed support for colleagues facing uncertainty. His comments highlight the far-reaching effects of layoffs in the gaming industry and the need for community support in challenging times.

Key Takeaways

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Everwild was in development for years before its cancellation.

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Microsoft's layoffs have affected around 9,000 employees.

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Rare continues to focus on Sea of Thieves despite challenges.

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Studio leader's acknowledgment reflects industry-wide concerns.

"It's impossible for something like this not to ripple through the studio."

Drew Stevens highlights how layoffs affect studio morale and teamwork.

"Thank you to everyone who's reached out to check in on us."

Stevens expresses gratitude for support during challenging times.

The cancellation of Everwild highlights the turmoil within the gaming industry following significant layoffs at Microsoft. While Rare continues to support Sea of Thieves, the loss of a promising title like Everwild raises questions about the company's future projects and overall stability. Stevens' remarks underline the shared anxiety among developers as they navigate their evolving roles amidst such changes. Observers will be closely monitoring how the studio and others rebound in this challenging environment.