Gregg Mayles and Louise O’Connor Depart Rare After Cancellation of Everwild
Gregg Mayles, a key figure in Rare’s history, is leaving the company after more than 35 years of service. His departure comes following the cancellation of Everwild, a project he had been leading since its restructuring in 2021. Alongside Mayles, Louise O’Connor, an experienced executive producer with credits dating back to Conker’s Bad Fur Day, will also be departing Rare. Both were involved in Everwild, one of the studio’s most ambitious projects that has now been officially canceled.
Mayles’ Legacy at Rare and Microsoft
Mayles, who started his career at Rare with Solar Jetman in 1990, played a pivotal role in iconic titles such as Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, and Viva Piñata. At Microsoft, he contributed to games like Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts and Kinect Sports, and led the creative direction of Sea of Thieves. His departure signifies a significant change for Rare, which has evolved since being acquired by Microsoft in 2002, with few members of the original team remaining.
The cancellation of Everwild is part of a broader restructuring at Microsoft, which has also included the cancellation of projects like Perfect Dark and the closure of The Initiative. These decisions reflect the need to realign priorities and resources in response to the evolving landscape of the video game industry. Microsoft has yet to officially comment on the departures of Mayles and O’Connor.
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