Microsoft Cancels Highly Anticipated Games
In a shocking move, Microsoft has announced the cancellation of two of its most exciting upcoming video games: The Initiative’s Perfect Dark reboot and Rare’s action-adventure title, Everwild. This decision comes amid a broader effort to reduce costs across the company, affecting thousands of employees currently part of the tech giant.
Xbox executive Matt Booty confirmed this news in a memo sent to staff, stating that the company had decided to cease development on both titles, alongside several other unannounced projects. The Initiative, the studio behind Perfect Dark, has been fully shut down as part of these cost-cutting measures. This closure marks a significant shift in Microsoft’s gaming strategy, raising questions about the future of its game development ecosystem.
Booty expressed that the choices made were not easy, reflecting on the years of effort and imagination put into these projects. However, he assured employees that Microsoft still has an impressive portfolio, with 40 projects actively in development and a strong lineup planned for 2026.
What This Means for the Gaming Industry
In addition to shutting down The Initiative, Microsoft is reportedly slashing 70 jobs at Turn 10, the studio behind the beloved Forza Horizon series. Furthermore, a new MMORPG from Zenimax has also been canceled. Though fans were treated to a glimpse of Perfect Dark gameplay during the 2024 Xbox Showcase, the fate of these titles casts a long shadow over Microsoft’s gaming ambitions.
Many were excited when Everwild was first unveiled back in 2019 with a stunning trailer, but the game faced internal reboot challenges over the years. The cancellation of these major titles signals a critical moment for Microsoft as it re-evaluates its priorities in a rapidly changing gaming landscape.