Microsoft will promote a particular version Xbox controller to mark the 40th anniversary of legendary growth studio Uncommon, simply weeks after the corporate introduced important layoffs and the cancellation of the studio’s long-awaited subsequent undertaking Everwild.
Additionally obtainable right this moment to mark the event is a Sea of Thieves Ruby Hat, which you may must redeem through the Microsoft Rewards app.
8BitDo Final 3-mode Wi-fi Controller for Xbox
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The choices come at an unsure time for the studio, which now seems to be to be doubling down on Sea of Thieves, its live-service pirate recreation launched again in 2018. Gregg Mayles, the veteran Uncommon designer and director, reportedly departed the studio following the top of Everwild, as did producer Louise O’Connor.
Based in 1985, British growth studio Uncommon is greatest recognized for its prolific period working with Nintendo on classics comparable to Donkey Kong, Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye 007 and Excellent Darkish (a reboot of which was one other sufferer of Microsoft’s latest cuts).
It is amid all this, then, that Uncommon now celebrates getting into its fifth decade, with a controller collaboration with peripheral making 8BitDo that options the Uncommon brand and some Sea of Thieves branding. The blue and gold-colored controller is on sale now for a restricted time, priced at $89.99.
What’s subsequent for Uncommon? Outdoors of Sea of Thieves, it is unclear. However throughout a well timed first Group Direct broadcast, the developer made clear it was staying dedicated to its buccaneer simulator, and had a plan to maintain it up to date with recent content material for at the very least a couple of years.
A group inside Uncommon is now engaged on a “multi-year imaginative and prescient” to develop Sea of Thieves’ total scope past its traditional seasonal updates. The sport can even acquire an optionally available paid subscription providing in “early 2026,” which can unlock customized servers.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You’ll be able to attain Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social