In a major blow to Rare’s legacy, Gregg Mayles, one of the studio’s longest-serving developers and the creative mind behind classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Sea of Thieves, is reportedly leaving the company following the cancellation of his latest project, Everwild.
According to a report by Video Games Chronicle, multiple anonymous sources within Rare claim that Mayles is stepping away from the studio amid a sweeping restructuring effort at Microsoft that has led to thousands of layoffs and the termination of numerous projects across Xbox Game Studios. While it remains unclear whether Mayles is being laid off or voluntarily exiting, his departure would mark the end of an incredible 35-year tenure at the legendary UK-based developer.
🎮 A Storied Legacy at Rare
Mayles joined Rare in the late 1980s and quickly rose to prominence, playing a key role in shaping the golden era of the studio. His creative leadership defined classics such as:
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Donkey Kong Country
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Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie
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Viva Piñata
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Sea of Thieves
Everwild, which began development in 2014, would have been Mayles’ 30th credited game at Rare. Despite its ambitious world and strong visual direction, Everwild faced a troubled development cycle and was reportedly rebooted in 2021 with Mayles taking over as director.
But in early July 2025, Microsoft announced the cancellation of Everwild as part of a broader strategy shift—one that has already resulted in the closure of Perfect Dark studio The Initiative and layoffs impacting up to 9,000 employees across the company.
🚨 Rare’s Uncertain Future
Mayles’ rumored departure leaves a massive creative void at Rare. While the studio has found recent success with Sea of Thieves, its future remains uncertain amid canceled projects and continued pressure to streamline.
Notably, Mayles has not issued any public statement regarding the situation, and Rare has yet to comment on either his status or the fate of Everwild beyond the reported cancellation.
🧭 What This Means for Banjo-Kazooie Fans
Mayles’ exit could also dash any lingering hopes of a Banjo-Kazooie revival. Although fan demand for a new title remains strong—especially after the duo’s appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate—there’s no indication that Rare or Xbox intends to revisit the IP anytime soon.
Gregg Mayles’ reported departure marks the end of an era—not just for Rare, but for a generation of gamers who grew up on his iconic work. As the industry continues to face waves of consolidation and cost-cutting, the loss of creative veterans like Mayles reminds us how fragile studio legacies can be.