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

With Microsoft now commanding a hefty lineup of game development studios, including the likes of Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and Xbox Game Studios, they’re sitting atop a mountain of ongoing projects. Some titles were unveiled long ago yet still linger in development with scant updates, such as Rare’s Everwild and Undead Labs’ State of Decay 3.

In a chat with Xbox Era, Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Gaming, seemed unfazed by worries about these projects languishing in development hell. He emphasized that Microsoft’s vast reach allows them to offer their studios the luxury of time to perfect their creations.

When asked about the first-party games he’s most eager about, Spencer named titles like State of Decay 3, Everwild, and the upcoming offering from Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Productions.

Spencer expressed his affection for State of Decay, saying, “I’ve loved this franchise since its inception.” He also voiced his admiration for the way Tim Schafer involves his team in the creative process. Reflecting on a recent visit to Rare, he said, “It’s great to witness the strides they’re making with Everwild.”

Acknowledging the lengthy radio silence on these games, Spencer stated, “Yes, it’s been quite some time. Yet, providing these teams with the freedom to develop at their own pace, while maintaining our robust portfolio, is dreamlike for Matt [Booty] and me. It’s a relief to finally be in a place where we can afford them this time.”

Microsoft isn’t in a rush to expedite any game releases as their 2025 calendar is already brimming with highly anticipated titles. Gamers can look forward to Obsidian’s Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Doom: The Dark Ages from id Software, Compulsion Games’ South of Midnight, Playground Games’ take on Fable, and Ninja Gaiden 4 from Team Ninja and PlatinumGames—not to mention the expected annual installment of Call of Duty.

During the interview, Spencer also mentioned a forthcoming visit to The Coalition, the minds behind Gears of War, to check in on Gears of War: E-Day, another project that’s been a long time coming. “I’m heading there next week,” he shared. “It’s such a joy to get an insider glimpse.”