Perfect Dark was one of several projects canned by Microsoft this week as part of the company's latest devastating cuts to Xbox staff and games. Developed by The Initiative, a studio Microsoft is now shutting down, alongside Tomb Raider studio Crystal Dynamics, Perfect Dark had rarely been glimpsed since its initial announcement back in 2020.

Taking to social media earlier today, former Perfect Dark level designer Adam McDonald explained that although parts of the trailer "did have fake stuff in it", the demo was actually playable and was not intended to "knowingly lie to players about what the game will be" whenever it eventually released.

The Initiative, the Xbox studio developing a modern reimagining of Perfect Dark, is being shut down, and development of the game is ending. As first reported by Windows Central, the studio's closure is part of major cuts Microsoft is making across its business,