Announcing Perfect Dark, the First Game From The Initiative

Xbox Wire:

Two years ago, we announced the formation of a new Xbox Game studio in Santa Monica, The Initiative, and today at The Game Awards, we announced our first project, Perfect Dark.  With Perfect Dark, we’re aiming to deliver a secret agent thriller set in a near-future world. We have built the Perfect Dark team at The Initiative by bringi ng in some of the most talented game.

[LOGICWINS]

They did it again. No gameplay. C’mon Microsoft you can do better.

[-Foxtrot]

Still

Perfect f****** Dark man

[LOGICWINS]

I’m excited man, I just don’t understand why CGI is still being used to advertise games. That’s not necessary with the power of these consoles.

[Vegamyster]

LOGICWINS

The game is probably too early in development and is not ready to be shown.

[Godmars290]

Yet another 1/3rd person shooter.

[ABizzel1]

More power to them. The IP hasn't been relevant in over 20 years, and only truly speaks to the older crowd close to their 30's and up, so younger gamers looked at this without an ounce of care. It's nice to see old franchises being revived, but they should have gone with a new IP IMO.

[--Onilink--]

@Abizzel

If the IP has been irrelevant for 20 years to the point of not being recognizable by newer audiences, how is that any different than introducing a new IP to them?

If they dont know Perfect Dark, have never played it and its also a reboot, for newer audiences IT IS a new IP

[gleepot]

but made by a different studio -- it wont be good.

[soulrebel]

@Godmars what did you expect it to be? An origami tutorial?

[bouzebbal]

Nice!! Cool trailer, I need to see some more of this! Crossing fingers this ends up decent

[Knushwood Butt]

I thought it was Killzone Liberation.

[Asuka]

TBF there was warning to keep expectations in check with regards to xbox related announcements. But still... Perfect Dark I cannot fucking wait!

[GamerRN]

I'm excited, but I really need a 3rd person adventure game soon

[medman]

I've been keeping my "expectations in check" with xbox since 2008, when they stopped delivering games that interested me. Skipped the xbox one generation, got a ps5 and a series x and am enjoying both....ps5 I'm still working through my ps4 backlog and playing some of the new titles, xbox I'm playing games I missed last gen via gamepass.

The reality is Microsoft has launched a new console, and I really like the hardware, but the software isn't there. No new titles until late in 2021? Halo not until fall/winter 2021? Microsoft really has zero for a new console launch from their first parties? That is weak, with a capital w. I'm fine with it because I skipped the xbox last gen so I have plenty to catch up on, but for xbox only gamers who bought an xbox one, or one x, or one s, what are they playing? The same old titles with not much new other than a few third party games on the horizon? That plain sucks.

[Sonyslave3]

Lol did sony show gameplay of god of war 2 no.

[Vengeance1138]

Why do people keep calling it God of War 2?? Its God of War 5, the last game was not a reboot.

[sinspirit]

Sony doesn't have anything to prove in regards to game quality and consistent release schedules. We know to expect great things. Xbox we don't have a clue because they've spent a decade sitting around and overhyping/under-delivering with really inconsistent and long stretched releases. They've always had great CGI sourced for their games and reveals. When they actually come out is a whole other ballgame in regards to quality.

[throne]

dont worry we'll be seeing amazing gameplay soon

[Sayai jin]

Sinspirit, your ideology only applies to people that are familiar with PS. New gamers may not know the stellar game quality that Sony brings every gen. They need to show game footage the same as every other console manufacturer.

[chiefJohn117]

The goalpost moves once again. Sony doesn't have to show gameplay for reveals, only MS does

[RazzerRedux]

I'm happy with the reveal as it is. Too early to expect gameplay.

But why do you guys have to bring Sony into it every damn time. They just live rent free in your heads, don't they?

[Teflon02]

They also didn't show CG. Which is always misleading

[janus225]

Last time XBOX exclusive win game of the year?

[DeadManMMX]

Dude God of War 2, Horizon Forbidden West, Fable, Metroid Prime 4 and so many next gen games that are far out are running with cinematic trailers. Its just the announcement so we know its coming.

[RaidenBlack]

They were pretty clear actually: "We're still early in development but we are really excited with where things are going ... we wanted to share a cinematic piece that help set the tone for our world"

[Godmars290]

"You must be new."

[UnSelf]

say wwwoooooorrrrrrrrdddddddddddd! !!!

[alb1899]

I'm just happy to see on what The Initiative is working. Looks good the environment.

[NeoGamer232]

I want gameplay too, but in reality I think this game is about three years out. Plenty-o-time for gameplay closer to launch.

[SonyStyled]

The setting looks good though

[Saijahn]

They show gameplay too early and it looks rough they get trashed. They show a simple announce trailer they get trashed. Nothing is ever good enough sheesh

[Zeref]

Lol shut tf up

[DJStotty]

@LOGICWINS

It's a trailer, you never see gameplay in a reveal trailer.

This is the same on all platforms, Horizon forbidden west was CGI, didn't hear many complaints then.

[Teflon02]

Ratchet and Clank A Rift Apart, as well as Sackboy, GT7 all showed gameplay in the reveals

[gamer7804]

It’s a teaser like the mass effect trailer.... I hope it is third person

[lelo2play]

Yep, neat CGI trailer with no gameplay, again, is essentially worthless...

[psychosmurf101]

Wait so our expectations of an “announcement trailer” now is that it has to include gameplay? SMH

[porkChop]

Holy shit. They actually did it. Greenberg undersold a show for once. That's nice to see. The Initiative is full of talent from all around the industry. I'm expecting some great things from that team.

[NeoGamer232]

I played Perfect Dark Zero as my launch game on X360. Loved it and play through many times. Hope that with modern consoles and graphics that this lives up to my very high expectations.

[XBManiac]

Multiplayer was the only fun thing to play for some time. But single player was a mess. There were other better Xbox 360 games to play alone then.

[crazyCoconuts]

I got it at launch w/ my 360 and remember being a bit disappointed. I don't remember anything from the SP and the MP was ok but kinda janky if memory serves. I remember it being kinda blah

[SonyStyled]

I wouldn’t say he undersold because he didn’t over oversell. He was very specific to not have high expectations, thus there was 1 game announcement by cgi trailer

[Sayai jin]

There was actually another game console exclusive to Xbox. Ark 2.

[DaveZero]

@ sayaijin- I do not think Ark 2 is exclusive, it was said it would come to playstation but a long way after the release on xbox. It will annoy alot of sony fans who were hoping to see Ark 2 as soon as it releases on console, the way it sounded though is it could be years before playstation players see it. My bet is they will release it on xbox and pc at same time or pc shortly after xbox before they do on playstation. Xbox console is most like a pc and it's that closeness to pc that makes building the game easier. Out of the two console it is easier to build the games for xbox and pc than it is PS and PC release.

I do hope one thing, that with all these stars like vin diesel Russell Crowe, Michelle Yeoh, Jeffrey Wright, Karl Urban that they do away with the alien thing from Ark 1, keep the tech related to the era of prehistoric. What put me off Ark 1 was its addition to futuristic tech.

[Fantangoooo]

It is exclusive to Xbox X|S https://www.gamespot.com/am...

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Funny I had a feeling he under sold it tbh, like there was a small part of me that was thinking that. This is how you market Aaron. Not over hype then underwhelm like he's been doing for the past, forever.

I agree they've been hiring some great and talented devs so high hopes for the Initiative.

[RazzerRedux]

lol.....Greenberg can never be trusted to say anything accurate I guess.

But holy shit was that an awesome reveal. Way too early to expect gameplay, but at least we know what the Initiative is working on.

Love Darrell Gallagher's work on Tomb Raider. Frankly, he is the *perfect* guy for this job.

[Majin-vegeta]

Doesn't sound great
https://www.kitguru.net/gam...

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

I’m pretty sure I heard first person as stated by a developer before the trailer was shown.

[Asuka]

You are correct. Clearly stated it's gonna be a "First Person" experience.

[CaptainHenry916]

Back for Blood that should have been called Left for Dead 3 looked good

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

They probably couldn't get their IP rights back from valve

[Ashunderfire86]

Sounds like what IOI did to Hitman with episodic content. Not too bad but it’s perfect dark guys they are building on Rare success with the game! With all raw talent from many studios!

[SlothLordPootus]

Perfect Dark is great but I was really hoping for something original from the AAAA Initiative game.

[Prubar]

Even though it’s not a new IP I feel it’s been long enough that they can do some really unique things with it. Same with the way Sony handled GoW.

[SlothLordPootus]

I agree, it's absolutely exciting, I was just hoping for a different studio to tackle the project. Of existing IP, Perfect Dark does have the most potential for being something "different".

[NeoGamer232]

I never understand this logic. If they wanted to make this type of game, then why wouldn't they use an IP name they already own and has been very successful.

There is nothing bad about using an existing IP. But, it does save the developer and publisher money on having to build the story behind the IP, introduce the new IP, and convince gamers to buy it.

Also, Perfect Dark already has diversity in the IP in that the protagonist is a female. Perfect Dark was well before its time in many ways.

[Tacoboto]

Perfect Dark also has the extra benefits of being both the pinnacle of N64 FPS, building off of GoldenEye, and the weaker entry padded with nostalgia just by being a launch title.

PDZ was the Xbox online FPS to play for those that didn't want to stick to just Halo 2 in that first year. It had bots with decent enough AI and was among the first major online console games to support 32 players.

[Neonridr]

what's the difference between AAA and AAAA? Is this a BBBQ thing where the extra B stands for BYOBB? That second B was a typo.

[Tacoboto]

The difference? Wait till E3 ;)

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

The Perfect Darks reboot looks like it’s moving the franchise towards immersive sim style gameplay. Hopefully the title still has MP.

[Eidolon]

I'm 100% ok with that. I loved Deus Ex: HR and Prey.

[Snookies12]

It just wouldn't be Perfect Dark without a really fleshed out multi-player. Normally I'm all for ditching multi-player in games for a more focused story. But with this franchise, it NEEDS multi-player. And a damn good one too. I have high hopes, I'm just worried after Zero happened lol.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Zero came out 15 years ago lol. I actually remember Perfect Dark Zero being fairly popular on Xbox Live until Halo 3 game out.

[Ashunderfire86]

It looks better than the disappointing Perfect Dark Zero cartoony look 👀 It’s back to the real look of Johnna Dark! Yes Perfect Dark is back Microsoft need this moment! Sony already delivered its Microsoft turn to shine!

[S2Killinit]

Rumours say it is episodic.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I hope it's single player focused first. Then add in MP later. But that's just me though. I understand MP was one of the best parts but it's a reboot with new mechanics. I dunno it sounds like it could get clunky with MP. Who's knows though.

[Father__Merrin]

It's an announcement that it's in development we won't see it for a while. A good game to reboot imo I'm currently playing perfect dark on rare replay

[sourOG]

This is pretty damn legit so far lol. Perfect dark, back 4 blood looks great. A spiritual successor to dead space by its creator. I’m hyped for all of them.

[RgR]

Could've done this reveal way better...
Gameplay would've been nice. More than nice considering the initiative is a completely new studio formed by microsoft who doesn't exactly have a good track record with any studio.

Perfect dark games could be silly at times with their narrative. Sounds like they're not taking that approach here.

[XxINFERNUSxX]

Taken from PC Gamer "It hasn't even been confirmed that it'll be on PC (but we assume so—Microsoft games all are, these days). " Well that's good for me then :D

[potatoseal]

OF course it's coming to PC. ALL Xbox games are going to PC.

[Lexreborn2]

This was a very pleasant surprise

[Automatic79]

Perfect Dark yes. Can't wait.

[Eviltattoo]

Meh

[FlyingFoxy]

Sweet.. This and Back 4 Blood on PC, oh man some great games coming.

[john416]

I’m pumped !

[Minute Man 721]

Oohhh lawd, can we get a new ip and not something that 1st appeared on the N64?

[DJStotty]

Take it you carry the same tune with the Doom IP? Or many other IP's that have a massive following?

Or just Microsoft games?

[Minute Man 721]

Doom is Doom bro, PDZ sucked that's why this franchise was dormant for 15 years

The rumors were true

[DJStotty]

I personally enjoyed Perfect Dark Zero.

But everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[Minute Man 721]

Dormant for 15 years isn't an opinion

So M$ creates a new studio to reboot a 20+ year old game? WTF????

[DJStotty]

@MinuteMan

Come on don't be that guy

"So M$ creates a new studio to reboot a 20+ year old game? WTF????"

Yeah they plan to close down the studio once perfect dark launches. /s

Some IP's have been dormant longer, does not mean they can not still be great games if rebooted.

[Minute Man 721]

Not being that guy but Damn Microsoft needs newer ips, take a chance

[ScootaKuH]

Like Killer Instinct and Banjo?

Oh hang on...

MS sure do love the N64 hey?

[Ashunderfire86]

Perfect Dark and Warhammer stole the show for me! It was awesome guys! Microsoft under delivered this moment telling us to tender our expectations! Hell that live up to our expectations!!!! I see this for 2022! Ok ✅ now I’m ready to get an Xbox Series X in February now!

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Ark 2 is also console exclusive to X Series. Seemingly permanent one at that.

Allot of Fanboys made comments a few days ago that already didn't age well. It's like I said before, let them troll and fanboy now so they can be wrong later. As I Clearly knew they would be.

[jairusmonillas]

Lies. Ark 2 is multiplatform, Vin Diesel as guest is the only exclusive for Xbox Series.

[Ashunderfire86]

The ones who had expectations too high was Playstation gamers that only got the release date for Returnal. Still something good, but no MGS remake or Silent Hill remake. This show was a twist doing the opposite, but we already know PS5 will have games during the first half of 2021.

[Fantangoooo]

It is exclusive https://www.gamespot.com/am...

[UnholyLight]

This is actually so exciting!

really miss playing Perfect Dark N64. I put a lot of hours into that game as a kid playing multiplayer against the AI!

[JayRyu]

Some good surprises. New Mass Effect and Left4Dead, but Perfect Dark was the BEST for me.

[DJStotty]

What they should do with Mass Effect, if it is indeed a continuation after the 3rd, is let us play a prologue mission for the Quarian ark at Andromeda (the content they told us to buy a magazine for).

I really, really hope Bioware have learnt their lesson after the Mass Effect 3 ending, and then cancelling DLC for Andromeda, otherwise they will destroy this franchise once and for all.

[Sophisticated_Chap]

Looks interesting! Can't wait to see more!

[J-DARKnes]

Hopefully it doesn't turn out like perfect dark zero.

[Ashunderfire86]

Yea Perfect Dark Zero was the start of Rare making all their games like Viva Piñata, and so much more like Sea of Thieves and their upcoming Series X/S game all look 👀 cartoonish!

They can’t seem to get off that style! Well hopefully The Initiative will bring back the greatness of Perfect Dark from N64! And if you guys look 👀 at the trailer again where the camera is moving throughout building inside you see something shooting! Yes that is the Laptop Gun reference to the first game! That is pure fan service!

[CobraKai]

Ok. A step in the right direction, unless this is also for the One.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Good question. The game is said to be ambitious with some experimental elements of gameplay. IMO I think it is X Series exclusive, it has to be. I mean Cyber Punk on last gen is screaming. There's no point in supporting new ambitious titles on last gen consoles anymore.

[DJStotty]

I think any new games in development and recently/not yet announced etc will be Series X exclusive.

Only games that were part way through development in the lead up to the Series X launch, will be on xbox one.

At least that is my opinion anyhoo.

[jznrpg]

I can’t see that happening at all. Hey buy our new console but only this one plays new games ? No way

[CobraKai]

MS seems to drill the point that they have whole Xbox family. I think with Game Pass, which is their primary focus, they would want to include all games to cover Series X to One. Thinking that a One owner who bought Game Pass wouldn’t want to constantly see all these new releases but with *Only on Series X.

[lellkay]

hyped but at same time.... CGI again... come on

[XBManiac]

Graphic downgrade incoming... Or isn't it the in game engine what they have showed?

[jairusmonillas]

It was clearly CGI

[LoveSpuds]

I cannot help but feel that this is another sign of Xbox' lack of ambition. They create a brand new team which they big up to fans for years and then play it massively safe by having this new dev team work on a remake of a somewhat popular franchise.

Make something new MS, this is why Sony is spanking you. While Sony also sign off on sequels to, they also create brand new games to keep fans excited.

A new Perfect Dark game is kinda exciting, but if this highly touted dev showed gameplay of a brand new IP last night, I would have been so much more excited.

[chiefJohn117]

I guess if they rename it you'd be satisfied right? It's a name get over it.

[LoveSpuds]

Remake, reboot......whatever, it still smacks of MS playing it extremely safe and being unwilling to take any risks. MS will never compete with Sony if they dont commit to making brand new games to keep things fresh.

The main criticism of MS is the over reliance on the same old games series, the answer is not to make games in some less recent franchises like Fable or Perfect Dark, the answer is to blow gamers minds with brand new, exciting IP.

[chiefJohn117]

Like the medium and avowed? What new ip is coming to PS5?

[DJStotty]

Also As Dusk Falls, Tell Me Why (Game award winner).

There is 4 new IP's for you LoveSpuds, and we are not even 12 months in.

[DiRtY]

Medium
Avowed
As Dusk Falls
Grounded
Starfield
Everwild

But you are here to hate anyway, so logic does not work.

[RazzerRedux]

@LoveSpuds

lol....why do you have to bring Sony into this? Let is stand on its own without the console war for a minute.

And I disagree. The one guy who was able to reboot the Tomb Raider franchise is handed Perfect Dark?

Oh hell yes. Give me that. New IP be damned.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

The Initiative is free to do whatever game they please. MS is hands off and doesn't dictate what the studios should do. They chose this title. I bet you were going crazy and happy when GoW got rebooted. Nobody knew how it would play at the time. It was a huge success. But let's just whine because... It's what everyone else does around here.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Of course. MS is starting to do a slow roll out of its games now. People here yelled loudly from the roof tops that MS some how isn't dedicated to games they're not doing anything with their studios. Which is beyond insane. Now you're calling out MS lack of ambition? For starters it's not a remaster or a remake it's a full on reboot. Which is smart because not many newer gamers this generation never heard of the game nor would they care. Re doing the franchise to sit right along its contemporary's of today is smart and gives the old IP a very fresh look and feel.

Whatever MS teams show you and many others are gonna whine about in here anyway. I would stay clear of these articles from now on. (but you won't)

[DJStotty]

Niiiiiicccceeeeee....

So much for the lower expectations.

[aaronaton]

As I'm not a vegan and not really into climate change politics, I'm not convinced this is the game for me.

[mudakoshaka]

Well, this ain't Rare's Perfect Dark that came out for N64. That one was a classic!

[DJStotty]

I'm sure Rare and the initiative will be consulting one another so they can capitalize on the success.

[jznrpg]

Those people from Rare were gone a long time ago

[chiefJohn117]

I KNEW IT!!!! I hope it's set up like an action packed hitman. (Less stealth, more gun play, level progression, action sequences like a shoot out on a motorcycle/highway) a hitman uncharted hybrid

[RaiderNation]

I was hoping for a new IP as I've never been a huge fan of this series. But we'll see.

[Wrathspawn93]

I'm interested. Wonder if it's a sequel to the 360 version or the first one.

[DaveZero]

Excellent microsoft, thankyou very much and I'm glad I got a Series S.

[jjb1981]

That laptop gun was revolutionary. I remember having to buy the upgrade pack for the N64 to play this. It was totally worth it. Then they remastered it for Xbox 360 and I was blown away. I can't wait for this game but I know it won't be coming until 2022 or later.

[Ashunderfire86]

The Laptop gun is in the trailer! 😄It’s the thing shooting in the building!!! A lot of people miss that one ☝️

[Darthpaul84]

Good to finally see what they are working on . Hopefully it becomes a flagship franchise. The ip should definitely be used more than it has been of late. I’m also hoping they don’t forget about the franchise’s fun multiplayer.

[moriarty1889]

finally, we know for sure it is indeed Perfect Dark. Anxious as to when we might see actual gameplay.

[glenn1979]

Im pump to here this I wonder what kinda engine are they using, maybe Unreal or in house engine🤔

[nickanasty206]

Stoked for this announcement regardless of it only having a C trailer. Much needed revival of a fantastic dormant IP that could really use a refresh GoW style makeover. Lets hope The Initiative can do it right, it will give me a reason to play my Xbox again.

[Positivelypositive]

Microsoft... stop naming things the base name of the original game or console! Sonic06 says hi.

Person1: Do you like perfect Dark?
Person2: Which one?
Person1: Perfect Dark... Its that game with the shooting! You know it!
Person2: You mean Perfect Dark Game Boy Color?
Person1: Nope just Perfect Dark!
Person2: You mean Perfect Dark Zero that horrible 360 launch game?
Person1: No, its just called perfect dark. Where are you getting these crazy names for completely different games!
Person2: WAIT! It's that N64 game right?
Person1: What? PTTTTFFFFF no! It just came out this year!
Person2: Oh Perfect Dark 2028!
Person1: No its just called perfect dark. I just call it Perfect Dark and EVERYONE knows which one I am talking about!
Person2: Oh! You mean Perfect Dark" You forgot to say the ".
Person1: How could I forget that!? Jeeese, no wonder you had no idea... I must have looked like a fool.
Person2: OH YEAH! I mean its two very distinct games. "Perfect Dark" and "Perfect Dark"".
Person1: I learned my lesson.

[Neonridr]

Instant hype here. Loved the original on 64.

[Angrymorgan]

I loved pd on n64..I hope they recapture that magic

[MetroidFREAK21]

This is cool. Eager to learn more about this probably reboot

[jznrpg]

It looks cool in theory but it’s only CGI so it doesn’t show anything . CGI was cool though . I was hoping for a new IP from the supposed to be quadruple A developer and also hoped it wasn’t a shooter but it could come out good . Only time will tell. I think it will be a decent game as there are good developers working on it but they have really high standards to live up to being hyped as AAAA dev and having to somewhat adhere to the original games Gameplay. Hopefully it’s more than just a pretty shooter

[UltimateOwnage]

The PD I remember when RARE made the game was amazing. The PD the shell of RARE made after the MS acquisition was terrible (that motion blur was terrible too!). This PD is made by a shell of a company made up of people from other shells MS bought out, using an IP they bought from a once great studio largely cultivated by Nintendo’s influence. I may be wrong on this one, but this is only going to be Perfect Dark in name so I’m not sure who this is for. I know the difference between pre and post MS RARE IP.

[Junghova]

...so expect fall 2025

[Benficaman]

thats good news for the Xbox fans. for now looks good even without Gameplay.

[Muzikguy]

There already was a game called Perfect Dark. Why do companies keep doing this stuff? I really find it annoying. Just like calling Xbox Series games just "Xbox". There already was an Xbox. Just forget about the past I guess

[HyperMoused]

Awww yissss cannot wait

[Profchaos]

Fingers crossed for a quality product