Microsoft considers restarting the Banjo Bear series, which may be taken over by the developer of "Ao Ri"

Jul 06 2025

  According to relevant reports, Microsoft seems to be turning its attention to classic game IP, actively exploring the possibility of reviving the "Banjo Bear" series, and considering handing over the development task to well-known studios such as Toys for Bob and Moon Studios.

Recently, foreign media have focused on the future planning trend of Rare Studio after canceling the "Everwild" project. According to reports, for a long time, the outside world has been full of expectations for the revival of the "Banjo Bear" series, but Rare Studios had little interest in it before.

According to Robinson, former Rare chief game designer Greg Meiers chose to resign after the "Everwild" project was cancelled. He is a person who is unwilling to indulge in the past and is more keen on developing new projects. Not only that, the studio's leadership has previously held a firm "rejection" attitude towards developing both IPs, and they are more inclined to create a brand new game world.

 However, the situation has changed now. Robinson revealed that Microsoft is currently listening carefully to various proposals for the resurrection of the "Banjo Bear" series. Among them, Toys for Bob and Moon Studios have become highly anticipated potential developers, and they have shown a strong interest in developing the new work of "Banjo Bear".

  Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler is confident about the potential of the "Banjo Bear" series. He believes that as long as the right developers are in charge, the new work of "Banjo Bear" is fully capable of competing with the 3D Mario series. Earlier this year, Thomas Mahler expressed regret for Microsoft's long-term shelving and making no substantial moves when talking about this classic IP on social media.

He firmly believes that truly talented developers can create a new work of "Banjo Bear" that can compete with 3D Mario, and may also achieve good results in sales. He used examples to prove his point of view, pointing out that although the Donkey Kong Kingdom series received strong marketing support from Nintendo, the sales of the "Original" series still surpassed the recent Donkey Kong works.

Thomas Mahler also said that if Moon Studios can take over the "Banjo Bear" project, he will be confident that this long-silent IP will be revitalized. After all, Moon Studios has spent more than a decade focusing on designing such platform games, accumulating rich and valuable experience in related fields, and having sufficient strength and confidence.

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