Perfect Dark
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Article
Microsoft Stops Development on Contraband
Microsoft has officially halted active development on the open-world co-op game Contraband, a project that had been in production for five years.
- Microsoft has halted active development on 'Contraband,' an open-world co-op game from Avalanche Studios that had been in production for five years.
- Avalanche Studios confirmed the project is on hold while they evaluate its future, following the removal of the game's official trailer from Xbox's YouTube channel.
- This decision follows broader workforce reductions at Microsoft, which included cutting 4% of its total employees—approximately 9,000 jobs—and the cancellation of previously announced titles like 'Everwild' and 'Perfect Dark'.
Game FileAug 2025
Article
Going Dark
The July 2025 layoffs at Microsoft represent a significant escalation in the company’s restructuring of its gaming division.
- Microsoft has initiated its fourth wave of Xbox layoffs in 18 months, cutting 9,000 staff worldwide despite the company reporting $70.1 billion in revenue and $25.8 billion in profit for the last quarter.
- Major project cancellations include the reboot of Perfect Dark at The Initiative, the Rare-developed title Everwild, and a sci-fi looter-shooter codenamed Blackbird at Zenimax Online Studios.
- The layoffs have impacted a wide range of internal studios, including significant staff reductions at Turn 10 (Forza Motorsport), King (Candy Crush), and teams working on Call of Duty and Halo.
Hit PointsJul 2025
Article
The Xbox We Knew Is Dead
The current state of Xbox reflects a fundamental shift in the company’s identity, marking the end of its traditional console-focused business model.
- Xbox has transitioned into a third-party publisher model, shifting away from its traditional console-exclusive strategy toward a Windows-focused and multi-platform approach.
- Microsoft has initiated significant restructuring, including the closure of The Initiative studio, the cancellation of projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild, and widespread layoffs across its gaming division.
- The company’s strategy of using Game Pass to drive growth has struggled to deliver consistent hit titles, with major releases like Halo Infinite and Starfield failing to meet expectations.
The Game BusinessJul 2025
Article
Half of Perfect Dark Core Developers Reportedly Left The Initiative During 2021
The development of the Perfect Dark reboot at The Initiative faced significant internal instability throughout 2021.
- During 2021, approximately 34 core developers—nearly half of the studio's staff—departed from The Initiative, leaving fewer than 50 employees remaining.
- Key leadership departures from The Initiative included the game director, technical director, lead animator, lead gameplay engineer, lead level designer, and most of the senior design team.
- Departing staff cited concerns regarding slow development progress and a lack of creative freedom as primary reasons for leaving the studio.
Game World ObserverMar 2022
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