Gregg Mayles, one of Rare’s most experienced and influential game developers, is reportedly leaving the studio following the cancellation of Everwild, a long-in-development title under his direction. Mayles’ potential departure comes amid Microsoft’s ongoing restructuring of its gaming division, which has already impacted several major studios and projects.
Everwild Canceled After Over a Decade of Development
Originally revealed in 2019 but in development since 2014, Everwild has faced a rocky production cycle. The project was rebooted in 2021, with Mayles stepping in as director to revitalize its vision. However, according to a July 2 report by Video Games Chronicle, Microsoft has now officially canceled the game. The decision appears to be part of a larger cost-cutting effort that has also shuttered Perfect Dark developer The Initiative and impacted other studios under the Xbox Game Studios umbrella.
Sources close to Rare suggest Mayles will be leaving the company following the cancellation. While it remains unclear whether he was laid off or chose to depart, the news marks the likely end of a 35-year career at Rare, during which Mayles accrued nearly 30 development credits.
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A Storied Career at Rare
Mayles began his journey at Rare in 1989, offering feedback on Solar Jetman before earning his first full credit with Battletoads. His influence grew throughout the ’90s and 2000s, serving as game director for Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. More recently, he led the design for the ongoing live-service hit Sea of Thieves, released in 2018.
Alongside Mayles, 20-year Rare veteran Louise O’Connor is also reportedly exiting the studio, adding to the list of high-profile departures from Microsoft’s first-party ecosystem.
Microsoft Layoffs Impact More Studios and Games
The cancellation of Everwild is just one part of Microsoft’s broader restructuring strategy. The closure of The Initiative has also reportedly halted development on the Perfect Dark reboot—an especially symbolic loss, given Rare developed the original game for the Nintendo 64. Additionally, a long-in-development MMORPG from ZeniMax Online Studios, first started in 2018, has also been shelved.
The layoffs reportedly impact up to 9,000 employees, roughly one in 25 of Microsoft’s current workforce, making this one of the company’s most significant shake-ups in years.
As Xbox continues to reassess its portfolio and priorities, the departure of key creative leaders like Gregg Mayles signals a pivotal and uncertain moment for both Rare and Microsoft’s first-party ambitions.
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