SHOCKING: The initiative | Mind Blowing Facts

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 · Jul 9

“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 · Apr 11

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 · Dec 22, 2025

"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 · Aug 27, 2025

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 · Jul 6, 2025

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 · Jul 4, 2025

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 · Jul 4, 2025

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 · Jul 3, 2025

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 · Jul 2, 2025

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 · Jul 2, 2025