Xbox Can Afford to Delay Unreleased Games Like Everwild and State of Decay 3

Since acquiring big names like Activision Blizzard and Bethesda, along with the impressive roster of Xbox Game Studios, Microsoft has catapulted itself into the upper echelons of game publishing giants. They have a myriad of projects simmering under the surface. Some games have had alarmingly long gestation periods with scant updates, like Rare’s mysterious “Everwild” and the third installment of Undead Labs’ “State of Decay.”

In a chat with Xbox Era, Phil Spencer, the chief of Microsoft Gaming, addressed the whispers about these lengthy development cycles. He downplayed concerns, pointing out that Microsoft’s expansive reach as a publisher allows it the luxury of granting studios the necessary time to perfect their creations.

When probed about which upcoming first-party titles he finds most thrilling, Spencer didn’t hesitate to mention “State of Decay 3,” “Everwild,” and the forthcoming project from Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Productions.

Reflecting on his fondness for the series, Spencer shared, “State of Decay is a franchise I’ve cherished since the first one,” adding his enthusiasm for Double Fine’s creative process. He also expressed satisfaction about the strides being made by Rare with “Everwild” after a recent visit.

Acknowledging the prolonged quiet periods concerning these titles, Spencer said, “It has indeed been some time. Our ability to let teams take the time they need is something we’re proud of, while sustaining a robust portfolio. It’s a vision Matt [Booty] and I envisioned long ago—seeing it come to fruition is fulfilling.”

Microsoft is in no rush to hasten their lineup. Their 2025 release schedule is already packed with heavy hitters like Obsidian’s “Avowed,” “The Outer Worlds 2,” and “Doom: The Dark Ages” by id Software. Add to that an array of exciting titles such as Compulsion Games’ “South of Midnight,” Playground Games’ “Fable,” the anticipated “Ninja Gaiden 4” from Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, plus the likely annual addition of a “Call of Duty” release.

Spencer also noted an upcoming trip to The Coalition, the creators behind “Gears of War,” to check in on a project that’s been cooking for quite a while, “Gears of War: E-Day.” With the latest entry in the series having come out in 2019, Spencer quipped about his eagerness, saying, “I’ll be up there next week. I’m like a pig in mud when they let me in the doors.”