Xbox’sPerfect Darkreboot has apparently been canceled, bringing an end to a long-gestating “AAAA” flagship project. Revealed in 2020 as the first game by 2018 studio The Initiative,gameplay for the rebootfinally appeared in a 2024 Xbox showcase. The franchise’s comeback was taking a different direction from the previous FPS games, incorporating a greater focus on immersive sim elements and diverse gameplay opportunities.
As reported byWindows Central,the latest round of Microsoft layoffs has resulted in the closure of The Initative and the cancellation ofPerfect Dark.The news comes alongside the cancellation ofEverwild, a project from Rare that was in development for even longer, and the same fate for a new MMORPG fromElder Scrolls Onlinestudio ZeniMax Online.
Perfect Dark’s Canceled Reboot Was Billed As A “AAAA” Game
This Was Meant To Be A Flagship Title
The “AAAA” moniker came from Microsoft’s own description of The Initiative, which placed a lot of faith in a studio that’s now been unceremoniously cut. Calling something “AAAA” doesn’t seem to be a good omen, as Ubisoft pushed thecritically pannedSkull and Bonesunder the same auspicious tag. In this case,Perfect Darkdid look considerably more ambitious, with a detailed world and complex environmental interactions showcased in its gameplay reveal trailer.
Microsoft’s restructuring affects a lot more than just a few upcoming video games, with over 9,000 Microsoft employees affected by thenew cuts and layoffs. With news like theend of Rare’sEverwildand thisPerfect Darkupdate coming in rapid succession, it’s not yet clear if there will be more major updates before the day is over. Regardless, it’s another unfortunate and frustrating development for the industry and a lot of the talented people who work in it.
The Initiative Was Working On Something Cool
While rumors about development trouble had accompaniedPerfect Darkfor a number of years, I was thrilled by the gameplay showcase in 2024, and the title quickly climbed to the top of my list as Xbox’s most exciting project in the works. Even if it wasn’t yet nearing completion,closing the Initiative and canceling the game entirely is a devastating outcome, especially for those directly affected by the lay-offs after spending years working on the game.
This feels like yet another side effect of Microsoft’s overcommitment to buying and building studios, which resulted in some great games but has also led to a number of closures. Last year, the closure of studios like Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks was a major blow, and these events are more than just unfortunate blips in Xbox’s overall game plan.Perfect Darkcould have delivered a fascinating modern imsim experience, and I’m disappointed that we’ll never get to see The Initiative bring at least some form of that to fruition.
