Microsoft has unveiled a limited edition Xbox controller to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the esteemed development studio Rare. This announcement comes just weeks after the company reported substantial layoffs across its gaming division and confirmed the cancellation of Rare’s highly anticipated project, **Everwild**.
In addition to the controller, fans can also acquire a Sea of Thieves Ruby Hat, which is available for redemption through the Microsoft Rewards app.
The launch of these commemorative items comes at a pivotal time for Rare, which appears to be intensifying its focus on **Sea of Thieves**, the live-service pirate adventure game first released in 2018. Notably, industry veteran and Rare director Gregg Mayles, along with producer Louise O’Connor, reportedly left the studio following the discontinuation of **Everwild**.
Founded in 1985, Rare is widely recognized for its iconic collaborations with Nintendo, delivering memorable titles such as **Donkey Kong**, **Banjo-Kazooie**, **GoldenEye 007**, and **Perfect Dark**—the latter of which also faced setbacks amidst Microsoft’s recent strategic cuts.
Amid these challenges, Rare is proudly entering its fifth decade with the release of a custom controller developed in partnership with peripheral manufacturer 8BitDo, featuring the studio’s logo alongside design elements inspired by **Sea of Thieves**. This striking blue-and-gold controller is currently available for a limited time, priced at $89.99.
Looking ahead, Rare’s future remains somewhat undefined outside of its commitment to **Sea of Thieves**. In a recent Community Direct broadcast, the studio reaffirmed its dedication to regularly updating the game and committed to providing fresh content for at least the next couple of years.
A dedicated team within Rare is now working on a “multi-year vision” aimed at expanding the overall scope of **Sea of Thieves**, which will extend beyond standard seasonal updates. Additionally, players can expect an optional paid subscription service to be introduced in early 2026, allowing access to custom servers.
Based on reporting by Tom Phillips. Read the full story at IGN.