The Initiative ready to turn its back on Crystal Dynamics?

Officialized by Microsoft during the Game Awards 2020, Perfect Dark is developed by both The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics. If we tell you again, it’s simply because this morning we learned that Square Enix had decided to part with part of its Western studios – which includes Crystal Dynamics – which were therefore bought by Embracer. As a result, the operation risks having an impact on the development of Perfect Dark. According to The Initiative, no. Moreover, the Microsoft studio split a tweet to make things clear.

We’re excited to see Crystal Dynamics take these next steps with their studio. Our teams have made great progress in building Perfect Dark together as co-development partners, and we will be continuing this work with them in their next chapter. https://t.co/9gG2VGUV8u

— TheInitiative (@TheInitiative) May 2, 2022

“We are excited to see the guys at Crystal Dynamics open a new stage of their studiocan we read. Our teams have made great strides in developing Perfect Dark as partners, and we will continue this work together.“It must be said that after the number of departures recorded by The Initiative – according to the indiscretions of Video Games Chronicle – there would be no point in putting another layer on.

“These massive departures are an epidermal reaction to the arrival of the Crystal Dynamics studio in development, commissioned by Microsoft to support these video game veterans in the design of this FPS which is different from the others. A war of egos, of course, but according to the ex-employees who agreed to testify anonymously, concerns also about the direction taken in production. It would indeed be complicated to be heard by those responsible for the project, who seem hermetic to the team. Some are surprised by the lack of reaction from Microsoft, which would not be of great support in this internal war, a case which is not isolated, when we know that other similar projects at Microsoft have already taken place (eg : Rare with Sea of ​​Thieves). Result, at present, the studio The Initiative would today have 50 employees, which is obviously insufficient to develop a project as ambitious as this reboot of Perfect Dark.“

We hope we will have reassuring news from Joanna Dark during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase which will take place on Sunday, June 12 at 7 p.m. (French time).