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MYSTERIOUS: The initiative - What They Never Told You

Pitches for a co-op Doom, a new Perfect Dark, and a John Wick-inspired cyberpunk game were cooking at id Software before Microsoft layoffs reportedly led to 136 job cuts

This comes a year after The Initiative was closed and its Perfect Dark game was canceled

GamesRadar

“As of January 2026… Drew Murray is now working on the StarCraft shooter” — this report could be the clearest sign yet that the project is moving forward

A recent podcast from Jez Corden reports that Drew Murray may be working on Blizzard’s rumored StarCraft shooter, offering new insight into the project’s potential development team and current status.

Windows Central

The ill-starred Perfect Dark reboot had 'entire chapters' completed before cancellation, says Joanna Dark's voice actor, who 'did not see it coming… it was devastating'

Developers also tried to pitch a 'slimmed down' version to save the project, but got nowhere.

PC Gamer

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"Unlike anything I've taken on before" — The heads of this canceled Xbox game join Take-Two to make a new 2K developer after Microsoft killed their studio

Xbox infamously canceled the Perfect Dark reboot and closed down The Initiative, but two of its lead devs have joined Take-Two to make a new 2K studio.

Windows Central

Perfect Dark leads hired for new studio from Borderlands and BioShock publisher 2K, after attempts to save canceled sequel from Xbox failed

2K shared no other information on the team

GamesRadar

Microsoft killed the promising Perfect Dark reboot, but Take-Two has snapped up its leads for a new 2K studio

Darrell Gallagher and Brian Horton will work together on a new, yet-to-be-announced project.

PC Gamer

Xbox's canceled Perfect Dark reboot was reportedly almost revived by Take-Two — but the deal fell through, and developer Crystal Dynamics was hit with layoffs

A new report claims that Xbox's canceled Perfect Dark reboot was almost revived by Take-Two Interactive

Windows Central

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"This decision was not made lightly" — Tomb Raider dev Crystal Dynamics hit by "necessary" layoffs for second time this year, and I'm sick of writing this headline

For the second time in 2025, Tomb Raider studio Crystal Dynamics has been hit with a wave of "necessary" layoffs.

Windows Central

RIP, Perfect Dark — Xbox leadership canceled my most-anticipated game, and the developers deserved better

Perfect Dark was my most-anticipated game from Xbox Game Studios, and its cancelation is a huge waste of potential.

Windows Central

Perfect Dark dev shoots down claim the ace-looking reveal was fake: 'It's probably more real than you think'

"It was a pretty typical 'vertical slice' I’d say and I don’t think we were particularly deceptive with it."

PC Gamer

Perfect Dark Joanna Dark actor calls for a Hi-Fi Rush-style revival after Microsoft cancels the reboot, as Starfield and Deus Ex star reveals his scrapped role will cost him "thousands of dollars"

"Every game I do as director or actor I wake up hoping it isn't canceled"

GamesRadar

Microsoft Gaming studios head Matt Booty says "overall portfolio strategy is unchanged" — with more than 40 games in production

Microsoft Gaming's Matt Booty says over 40 games are in development at Xbox, while sources say every game shown at the Showcase is "safe" for now.

Windows Central

Microsoft cancels the Perfect Dark reboot that blew us away last year, closes developer The Initiative

Microsoft laid off 9,000 employees today, and cancellations and closures are following.

PC Gamer

Perfect Dark reboot canceled amid heavy Xbox layoffs, with developer The Initiative shuttered and Forza developer Turn 10 reportedly losing half its staff

The Microsoft layoffs have ended Everwild, Zenimax Online's new MMO, and now Perfect Dark

GamesRadar

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Windows Central

Microsoft is closing down Xbox studio The Initiative, with Perfect Dark killed as well — joining Everwild and ZeniMax's new IP, and other unannounced projects

Microsoft is closing down The Initiative, after 7 years. The partnership with Crystal Dynamics will end, and "Perfect Dark" will be cancelled.

TechRadar

Marvel's Wolverine creative director has joined Xbox's The Initiative as Perfect Dark lead

Marvel's Wolverine creative director is now the lead of The Initiative's Perfect Dark's reboot.

GamesRadar

Original GoldenEye and Perfect Dark composer “would’ve loved” to work on the reboot, but the studio “chose someone else”

The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics are revisiting Perfect Dark after nearly 20 years

Windows Central

Perfect Dark finally emerged with gameplay during the Xbox Games Showcase 2024

Perfect Dark, a spy shooter being developed by The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics, finally reemerged during the Xbox Games Showcase 2024.

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GamesRadar

Perfect Dark reportedly "years" from launch after a development reboot in 2022

Perfect Dark is once again "in the earliest stages" of development

Windows Central

Report: Xbox exclusive Perfect Dark's release is 'years away' due to development struggles

A new report reveals the Xbox exclusive Perfect Dark is "years away" from launch due to significant development issues.

GamesRadar

5 Xbox Series X exclusives which are overdue an update at the Xbox Games Showcase

Opinion | The Xbox Games Showcase is almost upon us – here are some of the games we'd love to see

GamesRadar

Perfect Dark: Everything we know about the canceled Xbox exclusive

The Perfect Dark reboot from The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics was canceled in 2025

GamesRadar

Xbox Game Studios list: Every studio Microsoft owns and what they are developing

Here's a full breakdown of the Xbox Game Studios list in 2026

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