Rare Veteran Gregg Mayles Departs Studio After 35 Years, Marking End of an Era for Nintendo and Xbox Fans

Gregg Mayles, the acclaimed designer responsible for shaping some of the most iconic titles on Nintendo platforms, is set to depart from Rare after an impressive 35-year tenure.

Rare, a studio remembered fondly by Nintendo fans for its innovative contributions to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Nintendo 64 libraries, has seen considerable transformation over the past two decades—culminating in this latest major leadership change. Sources within Rare, cited in a report by Video Games Chronicle (VGC), confirmed that Mayles’ decision to leave comes on the heels of the cancellation of Everwild, a much-anticipated action-adventure project that was in development for Xbox.

Mayles had been overseeing Everwild as game director since 2021.

Alongside Mayles, executive producer Louise O’Connor—herself a Rare stalwart since the Nintendo 64 era with credits such as Conker’s Bad Fur Day—is also departing the company, marking the end of an era for several veteran staff members. Gregg Mayles’ legacy at Rare is virtually unparalleled.

Over nearly three decades, he has been a driving force behind the success of genre-defining games, including design work on 'Battletoads' and the groundbreaking 'Donkey Kong Country' for Super Nintendo.

Mayles also served as the director for the beloved platformers 'Banjo-Kazooie' and 'Banjo-Tooie' on Nintendo 64, titles that helped define the 3D platforming genre.

In more recent years, he led the development of 'Sea of Thieves,' Rare’s ambitious online multiplayer experience for Xbox and Windows platforms. Rare was once synonymous with Nintendo’s golden age, operating as a second-party developer responsible for exclusive classics.

However, the landscape shifted dramatically when Microsoft acquired Rare in 2002, transforming it into a key studio for Xbox and PC endeavors.

Since the acquisition, only a handful of the original pre-Microsoft team members remain, making Mayles’ departure particularly noteworthy.

This transition underscores the evolving landscape of game development and studio culture for both Nintendo and Xbox communities. Microsoft officially confirmed the cancellation of Everwild last week, simultaneously announcing significant company-wide layoffs affecting over 9,000 employees.

The decision not only impacts Rare’s immediate future but also closes the chapter on a project many had hoped would rekindle some of the studio’s former magic. As the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series consoles continue to define modern gaming experiences, the exit of legends like Gregg Mayles and Louise O’Connor invites reflection on Rare’s pivotal role in video game history—from producing 'Donkey Kong Country' for the Nintendo eShop to shaping new universes on current-gen hardware.

Their work leaves an indelible mark on the industry, and their absence will be felt by fans and developers alike.

Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Country Nintendo Banjo-Kazooie Rare Xbox Gregg Mayles Everwild Sea of Thieves Microsoft Louise O’Connor Nintendo 64