In the midst of layoffs hitting Xbox studios earlier this year and their studios being shuttered, many are awaiting information on Perfect Dark. The game was announced at the 2020 Game Awards but save for an update announcing Crystal Dynamics would be co-developing the game, little has been shared on the title.
But after issues being reported on the title in 2023, it seems the game is still struggling to come together.
What is Perfect Dark?
The series began on the Nintendo 64, developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo. It was a successor to the success that was Goldeneye 007. Building on that games four player multiplayer action, expansive level design and varied level objectives, the game released in 2000. It pushed the Nintendo 64 to it’s limits, not unlike other Rareware games like Conker’s Bad Fur Day.
When the developer was purchased by Microsoft in 2002, one of their first projects green-lit was Perfect Dark Zero. Eventually releasing on the Xbox 360 as a launch title to mixed reception. Ever since, the series has been dormant save for a 360 Xbox Live Arcade remake.
Announced at the 2020 Game Awards, Perfect Dark was revealed using a GCI trailer. Ever since, little is known on how the title will actually play like. Regarding if the game is a first person shooter or third person Uncharted-esc action adventure title is not confirmed.
But a major IGN report released in 2023 revealing a troubled development on this ambitious title. They have stated the following on the title’s progress.
Why? The answer isn’t glamorous, but rather wrapped up in the realities of game development. The project has seen roadblock after roadblock, with problems such as a fraught co-development partnership, a pandemic, technological challenges, an ongoing exodus of significant talent, and unclear direction from management keeping the game in development limbo. And while a new partnership with Crystal Dynamics appears to finally be bearing fruit, multiple sources who have worked on the game recently say that Perfect Dark is still “in the earliest stages” of development, estimating that it is still roughly two to three years away from being ready for release.
Current Development Woes
As of May 7th, 2024, Jeff Grubb shared his findings on the title on the Giant Bomb Cast. He said the following comments on the game’s current state.
“The fallout from this (today’s layoffs), been hearing more and more.. been hearing for years that Perfect Dark is in a rough state, sounds like it’s in a very rough state”
“And it doesn’t sound like it’s really come together in any way since then (since the announcement) and like Crystal Dynamics coming on board to come help on that..”
This was further collaborated by Alex Donaldson, shinobi602, and Liam Robertson. And most damning of them all, Jeff Grubb cannot confirm if the game will be first or third person, a question many have asked since reveal.
“It sounds like they don’t even know if that’s what they want to do with that”
Overall Thoughts on the Situation for Perfect Dark
To be objective, there is a genuine possibility many answers on Perfect Dark could be given at the Xbox Games Showcase in literal weeks from now, as of this writing.
That being said, it highlights a sense of unfairness amongst the Xbox Studio’s family. If developers like Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin get shuttered despite delivering games on time, while studios like The Initiative can have issues like this and still remain operational, that simply does not sound fair.
We shall see how this projects turns up in the distant or, ideally, not so distant future.
Future of Xbox
One cannot look at Xbox and not say they are in their darkest spot optically. Studios being shuttered, confusion over the brand’s future and massive layoffs to kick off the year; Xbox has had bad news after bad news.
Despite all this negative PR, the Microsoft has had tremendous success as of late. The Fallout tv series and bringing games like Sea of Thieves multiplatform have resulted in the console maker embracing the role of a third party publisher. And unlike SEGA before them, the console will still exist, at least for the next generation or so.
Closing Thoughts
We will keep you all posted as this story develops and when the Xbox Games Showcase happens in June 2024, expect coverage from Lords of Gaming.