Perfect Dark could have been saved, according to a new report.
The reboot, done by Crystal Dynamics, The Initiative, and Xbox, was cancelled earlier this July out of the blue. Given the game’s well-received gameplay trailer and excitement, many were disappointed in the news. Plus, with last week’s layoffs, it felt like a nail in the coffin for the classic shooter from Rare. Sadly, it does look like any chance of the game coming out has been silenced.
Take-Two Could’ve Released Perfect Dark, But Declined
According to the report from industry insider Jason Schreier for Bloomberg, Crystal Dynamics cut staff last week because they were unable to secure a deal with a new publisher for Perfect Dark. Embracer, which owns Crystal Dynamics, was reportedly close to striking a deal with Take-Two Interactive. If it went through, the publisher would’ve bought the game from Xbox and then seen the game to completion. Sadly, the talks ceased due to Perfect Dark’s ownership, though exact details were not disclosed.
Along with the cancellation of Perfect Dark, its studio, The Initiative, closed down. However, the report also states that leadership from the studio and Crystal Dynamics have been trying to get a publisher for the last two months. While negotiations did happen with a few, Take-Two was the farthest along.
While chances for Perfect Dark to return are seemingly unlikely, it could see the light of day. Tango Gameworks, which Xbox shut down after the success of Hi-Fi Rush, was bought by Krafton and can work on their IPs again. Whether The Initiative meets that same fate is unknown, but it all depends on the IP of Perfect Dark and if the rights can be purchased.
Are you disappointed to see Perfect Dark cancelled and, likely, never coming back? Let us know in the comments and on the forums!
For more on cancellations, check out our articles on FairGames and Rare’s Everwild. As always, make sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more Insider Gaming goodness!
No thank you. Also they own Oni still. Microsoft needs to buy TakeTwo add their stuff to Game Pass it would finally grow the 2K games the library and eventually GTA6 also saves Strauss from backlash of another delay which seems likely.
Who exactly still wants Perfect Dark after the lukewarm trailer and gameplay they showed off?
I also can’t help but feel that she looks too different from her other video game self. Something about her seems off besides her odd shaped head/face. I feel like she isn’t really the same personality wise.
And if she isn’t the same or better then might as well not have her around.
Just let it go. So far, a lot of Microsoft games are coming out as extremely Mid and offense free.