Gregg Mayles, Director of Banjo-Kazooie and Sea of Thieves, Leaves Rare

After 35 Years of Innovation, a Rare Legend Departs.

Kyle S

Gregg Mayles, the creative force behind iconic titles such as Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong Country, and Sea of Thieves, has departed Rare after an illustrious 35-year tenure. His exit follows the reported cancellation of Everwild, a project he had been leading since its reboot in 2021.

A Storied Career at Rare

Joining Rare in 1989, Mayles quickly became instrumental in shaping the studio’s golden era. He contributed to the Battletoads series and played a pivotal role in the development of the Donkey Kong Country series, co-creating characters like Diddy Kong and King K. Rool. His vision led to the creation of the Banjo-Kazooie franchise, which began as “Project Dream” before evolving into the beloved bear-and-bird duo.

After Microsoft’s acquisition of Rare in 2002, Mayles continued to innovate, directing titles like Grabbed by the Ghoulies and Viva Piñata. He later took the helm of Sea of Thieves, guiding it from concept to a successful live-service game that remains active today.

The Everwild Chapter

In 2020, Mayles assumed leadership of Everwild after the departure of its original creative director, Simon Woodroffe. The project faced challenges, including a complete reboot, and struggled to define its core gameplay loop, leading to delays and internal uncertainty . Despite efforts to steer the project, the reported cancellation of Everwild appears to have been a significant factor in Mayles’ decision to leave.

Legacy and Impact

Mayles’ departure marks the end of an era for Rare. His influence is evident across multiple generations of gaming, from the 16-bit era to modern online experiences. His commitment to innovation and storytelling has left an indelible mark on the industry.

As Rare undergoes leadership changes, including the promotion of Craig Duncan to head of Xbox Game Studios, the studio’s future direction remains a topic of interest. Fans speculate about the potential revival of classic franchises like Banjo-Kazooie, though Mayles himself has expressed a preference for exploring new experiences over revisiting past projects.

Gregg Mayles’ departure is a significant moment in gaming history, closing a chapter on a career that has brought joy to millions. His contributions have shaped the landscape of video games, and his legacy will continue to inspire developers and players alike.

One response to “Gregg Mayles, Director of Banjo-Kazooie and Sea of Thieves, Leaves Rare”

  1. cilefam763 avatar
    cilefam763

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Rare is next all they’ve been doing nowadays is just more Sea of Thieves dlc. In fact the only Rare game that managed to get released after Sea of Thieves was the Battletoads reboot back in 2020 even though Dlala Studios did most of the developing. Rare is nowadays just a Sea of Thieves support studio with a once great name and a bunch of irrelevant IPs. Correct if I’m wrong anybody, but is Robin Beanland the only employee from Rare’s golden age still working at the company to this day?

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