Banjo-Kazooie Creator Gregg Mayles Leaves Rare After 36 Years: “One Final Rhyme”

Gregg Mayles, the legendary designer behind Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong Country, and Sea of Thieves, has officially confirmed his departure from Rare after nearly four decades with the studio. The move marks the end of an era for the British developer, whose identity is woven into the projects Mayles led.

Mayles broke the news publicly on social media, stating, “Today was my last day at Rare. Thanks to everyone who played and enjoyed any of the games I helped create while I was there. Also, thanks to all the people that worked on the games alongside me.”

Today was my last day at @RareLtd. Thanks to everyone who played and enjoyed any of the games I helped create while I was there. Also thanks to all the people that worked on the games alongside me. It seemed fitting that I should say farewell with one final rhyme! pic.twitter.com/X54u8Bc2oI

— Gregg Mayles (@Ghoulyboy) October 14, 2025

He sealed the announcement with a sly nod to his trademark wit: “It seemed fitting that I should say farewell with one final rhyme!”

Gregg Mayles: The Architect of Rare’s Most Iconic Games

Mayles’ journey at Rare began more than 35 years ago, making him one of the company’s earliest and most influential hires. His first credited work goes all the way back to Solar Jetman in 1990, but his impact exploded in the years that followed.

Throughout the studio’s golden age, it was Mayles who steered some of Rare’s biggest hits. Donkey Kong Country and its celebrated sequel brought cinematic flair and technical mastery to the SNES, while his next big leap saw him creating the quirky, playful universe of Banjo-Kazooie and its follow-ups.

Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Viva Piñata, and the polarising yet inventive Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts also carried his fingerprints. Under Microsoft’s tenure, Mayles led the design of Kinect Sports and ultimately guided Rare’s ambitious multiplayer experiment, Sea of Thieves, as creative director. Across his time at Rare, Mayles worked on nearly 30 games, shaping genres and delighting generations of players.

Exit Amid Tough Times at Rare

Mayles’ departure had been rumoured since July, but was officially confirmed in the wake of challenging news for Rare. His most recent project, Everwild, was cancelled during a massive wave of layoffs at the studio, which reportedly affected as many as 9,000 employees across multiple departments this summer.

He chose to mark his farewell with the same creative spirit that defined his tenure. Mayles’ penchant for witty poetry and playful writing, signature touches scattered throughout his games, was not lost on fans or colleagues.

As Rare reaches its 40th anniversary, its future is tinged with uncertainty and nostalgia. Mayles was more than just a developer; he was the creative heart behind the studio’s most cherished titles. For fans who grew up with Rare’s classics and newcomers discovering them for the first time, his legacy is undeniable.

For now, Rare turns a page. And Gregg Mayles, with one final rhyme, says goodbye, not just to the company, but to an entire era of game design brilliance.