Greg Mayles, the director behind the beloved Banjo-Kazooie series, has officially left Rare after an impressive 36-year career at the studio. His departure comes after the cancellation of the long-awaited game Everwild. Mayles announced his exit on social media with a nostalgic rhyme referencing many games he contributed to, celebrating his legacy within Rare. With almost 30 titles under his belt and Sea of Thieves being the studio's recent success, his exit raises questions about the future direction of Rare as the studio has faced challenges, including significant layoffs and project cancellations.

What does Greg Mayles' departure mean for Rare's future projects?

Mayles' departure could signify a pivotal change for Rare, especially in light of the recent cancellations of Everwild and the Perfect Dark reboot. With the studio's recent focus on developing Sea of Thieves and the loss of key talents, fans are left wondering about the potential for new IPs or revitalizations of classic franchises.

Banjo-Kazooie, released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, is widely regarded as one of the greatest platformers of all time. Its innovative gameplay combined with humorous writing and charming characters set a high bar for future titles. Rare, once a celebrated developer for Nintendo, has struggled to recapture that same magic since its acquisition by Microsoft in 2002. The cancellation of projects like Everwild further emphasizes the turbulence the studio has faced in recent years.