Perfect Dark Actor Calls on Fans To Help Save the Game

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The main character in the game “Perfect Dark,” which was recently canceled by The Initiative’s reboot of the popular N64 first-person shooter, is urging fans to speak up and express their support for the game. While it’s uncertain if fan input will sway Microsoft’s decision regarding “Perfect Dark,” actress Alix Wilton Regan believes it’s worth trying.

Introduced in 2000, the initial version of Perfect Dark was both published and developed by Rare, serving as a spiritual sequel to GoldenEye 007. Despite this connection, it managed to forge its unique identity, garnering strong sales and receiving critical acclaim from many. The reimagining, capitalizing on advancements in technology over the past 25 years and offering a fresh narrative, was unveiled at The Game Awards 2020.

On July 2, 2025, Microsoft disclosed that the reboot of Perfect Dark had been scrapped and The Initiative studio would be closed as part of a significant reorganization involving various Xbox-branded studios. This move reportedly included the cancellation of numerous games and the potential dismissal of up to 4% of the workforce. Regan, swiftly taking to her Twitter account, expressed sadness over the game’s cancelation and empathy for everyone affected. However, less than 48 hours later, she issued a rallying cry from the series’ fan base. In the hours leading up to July 4, Regan expressed optimism about the future and urged gamers to voice their desire for to endure by saying, “speak up if you wanna see Perfect Dark survive.

Perfect Dark Lead Actor Calls on Fans for Help

Despite enthusiastic backing from fans, it might prove challenging to rescue Perfect Dark from cancellation due to its advanced stage in development that seems less progressed than fans anticipated. Suspicions arose when a supposed 2024 gameplay trailer for Perfect Dark was questioned as false. Previously involved in level design for the canceled project, Adam McDonald addressed these claims by affirming that the features displayed in the trailer functioned as intended, such as parkour, hacking, and detection systems. However, the gameplay footage was derived from a demo build specifically designed to mirror the trailer’s presentation. McDonald’s comments implied that at the time, the systems were only working well enough to make that part of the game appear visually appealing.

It’s not just Perfect Dark that has been axed following Microsoft’s recent layoffs; other games have suffered the same fate. For instance, Everwild, an action-adventure game by Rare, a studio that originally developed it, has been canceled after over a decade in development. Moreover, Gregg Mayles, the director of Everwild, is reportedly leaving the company after serving for more than 35 years. Furthermore, an MMO from the creators of The Elder Scrolls Online, which started development in 2018, has been abandoned, and Matt Firor, president of ZeniMax Online Studios, has stepped down from his position.

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2025-07-04 18:33