Microsoft Celebrates Rare's 40th Anniversary with Special Edition Xbox Controller

Microsoft has announced the release of a special edition Xbox controller to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the legendary development studio Rare. This announcement comes just weeks after the company revealed significant layoffs and the cancellation of Rare's highly anticipated project, Everwild.

Additional Anniversary Content

To further mark the occasion, a Sea of Thieves Ruby Hat is also available starting today. Players can redeem the item via the Microsoft Rewards app.

The Future of Rare

What's next for Rare? Beyond continuing its work on Sea of Thieves, the studio's future projects remain unclear. However, during its first-ever Community Direct broadcast, the developer reaffirmed its commitment to the popular pirate simulator. Rare has outlined plans to update the game with new content for at least the next couple of years.

Expanding Sea of Thieves' Vision

A team within Rare is currently focused on a "multi-year vision" aimed at expanding Sea of Thieves' overall scope beyond its regular seasonal updates. This plan includes the introduction of an optional paid subscription in "early 2026," which will grant players access to custom servers.

Contact Information

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him at tom_phillips@ign.com or follow him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social.