Crystal Dynamics to continue Perfect Dark despite sale

NEWS Sacha Loric - May 3, 2022, 15:43

Good news for those anticipating the Perfect Dark remake. Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics has announced that it will continue helping with the development process of Perfect Dark, even after the announcement that the Embracer group is set to acquire the company. Its co-developer, Santa-Monica-based team The Initiative, has confirmed that the contract remains in place despite developments with their partner.

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

The Initiative has close ties with Crystal Dynamics due to having been founded by the current head, Darrell Gallagher. Also included in The Initiative is Tomb Raider reboot director Daniel Neuburger.

Perfect Dark originally launched in 2000 for the N64 and quickly turned heads with its gameplay and protagonist. It got a 2005 sequel with Perfect Dark Zero, but nothing has happened with the series since then.

After fifteen years of waiting, we are getting a remake helmed by The Initiative and supported by Microsoft, who has promised to deliver a triple-A experience for this returning title. It will be an Xbox Series X exclusive.

Perfect Dark’s setting appears to be Egypt in the near future. The intro informs us that the polar ice caps have melted, leaving humanity in shambles as coastal areas shrink and the world is hit by violent weather. Despite the changed world, spies are still a necessity, and that’s where the protagonist, Joanna Dark, comes in. You can check out the teaser trailer here:

Aside from Perfect Dark, Crystal Dynamics has revealed they are also working on yet another Tomb Raider title, this time built on the Unreal Engine 5. Acquiring group Embracer has also announced interest in investing in new games for the Deus Ex and Tomb Raider series.

The remake doesn’t yet have a release date, but it’s expected to launch some time in 2022 or 2023. As early as now, you can get a Perfect Dark Xbox key from our comparator.