Perfect Dark reboot apparently in a ‘rough state’ - and we’re worried for it
If you think things have gone 'dark' on Xbox's upcoming Perfect Dark reboot, it sounds like there could be a good reason for it. The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics are teaming up, with the former supposedly being a 'AAAA' studio. Despite being announced in 2020, there's been little news on Joanna Dark's supposed return to form.
Perfect Dark debuted on the Nintendo 64 during Rare's reign. The developer is known for churning out gaming icons like Banjo-Kazooie and GoldenEye 007, leaving Ms. Dark as a largely forgotten legend of this era. We've not had a Perfect Dark game since 2010's remaster of the original, so we're long overdue.
Perfect Dark reboot apparently in a 'rough state'
Despite being assured that things are ticking along nicely, Jeff Grubb has reported to the contrary. Speaking on the latest Giant Bomb podcast, Grubb explained, "I've been hearing for years Perfect Dark is in a rough state," expanding that it now "sounds like it's in a very rough state."
Saying it doesn't sound like it's come together "in any way" since it was announced, Grubb added that Tomb Raider's Crystal Dynamics coming on board to assist hasn't really helped. Niki Grayson joked, "If only within the Microsoft umbrella, the Xbox Game Studios, there were any sort of teams that had any experience making first-person shooters."
It's a pointed jibe at the way Microsoft is seemingly handling the Perfect Dark IP, but according to Grubb, "They don't even know if that's what they want to do with that." With proven shooter studios like 343 Industries sitting there in a post-Halo Infinite slump, was creating The Initiative the best idea?
Perfect Dark could be the 'perfect' return to form
Click to enlargeGrubb is concerned that Xbox has already announced things like Perfect Dark, and with more announcements likely on the way, teams could be spread very thin. These concerns come in the wake of mass layoffs shuttering studios behind Redfall, Hi-Fi Rush, and more.
If Perfect Dark can stick the landing, it could tap into that sweet vein of nostalgia while delivering something new. It's good news that Crystal Dynamics is part of the project, as we can only imagine Perfect Dark is hoping to replicate CD's success with 2013's Tomb Raider reboot.
Of course, it seems all focus will likely be on Call of Duty. The $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard King wasn't cheap, and some are connecting the dots between the recent layoffs and the bottom line of the costly deal. We'll hold out hope that Joanna Dark can make a 'perfect' return, but as the years rumble on, we're not sure we'll see her at all.
