HomeMicrosoft Reportedly Scraps Xbox Titles Perfect Dark and Everwild
Microsoft has canceled development of Perfect Dark and Everwild as part of broader workforce reductions across its Xbox division. In a memo sent to employees, Matt Booty, President of Game Content and Studios at Xbox, confirmed the closure of The Initiative, the studio responsible for Perfect Dark.
These changes are part of wider layoffs affecting approximately 9,000 Microsoft employees, with Turn 10 Studios, the team behind Forza Motorsport, also significantly impacted.
Below is Booty’s full memo to staff:
Following Phil’s note, I’d like to share more details about the changes within our Studios organization.
We have decided to halt development on Perfect Dark and Everwild, along with winding down several unannounced projects across our portfolio. As part of this shift, we will be closing The Initiative studio. These moves, combined with other adjustments across our teams, are designed to realign our priorities and allocate resources more effectively, positioning our teams for success in a rapidly evolving industry. We did not arrive at these decisions easily, as each project and team represents years of dedication, creativity, and hard work.
Our overall portfolio strategy remains unchanged: we will continue building games that excite our players, grow our most popular franchises, and introduce compelling new stories, worlds, and characters. We currently have over 40 projects in active development, strong momentum with titles launching this fall, and a robust pipeline extending into 2026.
For those directly affected by these changes, we're working closely with HR and studio leadership to offer comprehensive support, including severance packages, career transition services, and, where available, opportunities to explore roles within other teams.
To everyone working across our studios: thank you. Your creativity and resilience continue to shape who we are. I'm confident in our teams' strength and the direction we're headed as we move forward.
Matt
Related article
Duolingo Faces New Competition as Google Integrates Language Learning into Translate
Google is introducing AI-driven language learning tools directly into its Translate application. This new beta feature personalizes language lessons to match your proficiency and specific goals, like preparing for an international trip.Initially, the
EcoFlow Launches Plug-In Solar Power Systems for US Households
The United States is now introducing EcoFlow's DIY balcony solar system, which I previously reviewed in Europe. EcoFlow states that its Stream Series will be the first plug-and-play solar products available domestically, enabling homeowners and rente
Roblox Unveils AI Tools in Studio to Accelerate Game Development
Roblox is typically viewed as a gaming platform, but its daily operations resemble a production studio. Small teams continuously launch new experiences and monetize them at scale. This rapid pace consistently creates two challenges: time wasted on re
Related Special Topic Recommendations
Business
Best AI Recruiting Tools: Screen Resumes & Automate Candidate Interview Scheduling
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI recruiting tools on XIX.AI. Our curated list features powerful, game-changing solutions for screening resumes and automating candidate interview scheduling. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests and weekly updated rankings. Find your perfect hiring assistant and streamline your recruitment today!
10 tools
xix.ai
Productivity
AI Personal Wellness & Focus Coaches: Manage Burnout & Boost Mental Energy Levels
Discover the 2026 best AI personal wellness and focus coaches on XIX.AI. Our curated rankings feature top-rated, game-changing tools to manage burnout and boost mental energy. Compare free vs paid options with real-world insights. Unlock your path to peak productivity and well-being today.
10 tools
xix.ai
chatbot
Top-Rated AI Romantic Chatbots: Build Long-Term Relationships with Consistent Personalities
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI romantic chatbots for building genuine, long-term connections. Our curated list features powerful, consistent personalities, free vs paid comparisons, and real-world tests. Find your perfect companion and start building today at XIX.AI.
10 tools
xix.ai
Education and Learning
Best AI Data Science Mentors: Master SQL, Pandas & Machine Learning Workflows
Discover the 2026 best AI data science mentors to master SQL, Pandas & ML workflows. Explore our top-rated, curated selection at XIX.AI for powerful, game-changing guidance. Compare free vs paid options with real-world insights. Unlock your data science mastery today.
10 tools
xix.ai
chatbot
Best AI Flirting & Conversation Trainers: Improve Social Charisma and Confidence in Real-Time
Discover the 2026 best AI flirting and conversation trainers on XIX.AI. Our curated, top-rated selection helps you build social charisma and confidence in real-time. Explore must-try, game-changing tools with free vs paid comparisons and weekly updated rankings. Unlock your social edge today.
10 tools
xix.ai
code
Best AI Tools for Automated Unit Testing: Generate Jest, PyTest & JUnit Test Cases in One Click
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI tools for automated unit testing. Our curated selection features powerful, game-changing solutions to generate Jest, PyTest & JUnit test cases instantly. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests and weekly updated rankings on XIX.AI. Unlock your AI edge and boost development productivity today.
10 tools
xix.ai
Comments (0)
0/500
Microsoft has canceled development of Perfect Dark and Everwild as part of broader workforce reductions across its Xbox division. In a memo sent to employees, Matt Booty, President of Game Content and Studios at Xbox, confirmed the closure of The Initiative, the studio responsible for Perfect Dark.
These changes are part of wider layoffs affecting approximately 9,000 Microsoft employees, with Turn 10 Studios, the team behind Forza Motorsport, also significantly impacted.
Below is Booty’s full memo to staff:
Following Phil’s note, I’d like to share more details about the changes within our Studios organization.
We have decided to halt development on Perfect Dark and Everwild, along with winding down several unannounced projects across our portfolio. As part of this shift, we will be closing The Initiative studio. These moves, combined with other adjustments across our teams, are designed to realign our priorities and allocate resources more effectively, positioning our teams for success in a rapidly evolving industry. We did not arrive at these decisions easily, as each project and team represents years of dedication, creativity, and hard work.
Our overall portfolio strategy remains unchanged: we will continue building games that excite our players, grow our most popular franchises, and introduce compelling new stories, worlds, and characters. We currently have over 40 projects in active development, strong momentum with titles launching this fall, and a robust pipeline extending into 2026.
For those directly affected by these changes, we're working closely with HR and studio leadership to offer comprehensive support, including severance packages, career transition services, and, where available, opportunities to explore roles within other teams.
To everyone working across our studios: thank you. Your creativity and resilience continue to shape who we are. I'm confident in our teams' strength and the direction we're headed as we move forward.
Matt
Duolingo Faces New Competition as Google Integrates Language Learning into Translate
Google is introducing AI-driven language learning tools directly into its Translate application. This new beta feature personalizes language lessons to match your proficiency and specific goals, like preparing for an international trip.Initially, the
EcoFlow Launches Plug-In Solar Power Systems for US Households
The United States is now introducing EcoFlow's DIY balcony solar system, which I previously reviewed in Europe. EcoFlow states that its Stream Series will be the first plug-and-play solar products available domestically, enabling homeowners and rente
Roblox Unveils AI Tools in Studio to Accelerate Game Development
Roblox is typically viewed as a gaming platform, but its daily operations resemble a production studio. Small teams continuously launch new experiences and monetize them at scale. This rapid pace consistently creates two challenges: time wasted on re
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI recruiting tools on XIX.AI. Our curated list features powerful, game-changing solutions for screening resumes and automating candidate interview scheduling. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests and weekly updated rankings. Find your perfect hiring assistant and streamline your recruitment today!
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 best AI personal wellness and focus coaches on XIX.AI. Our curated rankings feature top-rated, game-changing tools to manage burnout and boost mental energy. Compare free vs paid options with real-world insights. Unlock your path to peak productivity and well-being today.
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI romantic chatbots for building genuine, long-term connections. Our curated list features powerful, consistent personalities, free vs paid comparisons, and real-world tests. Find your perfect companion and start building today at XIX.AI.
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 best AI data science mentors to master SQL, Pandas & ML workflows. Explore our top-rated, curated selection at XIX.AI for powerful, game-changing guidance. Compare free vs paid options with real-world insights. Unlock your data science mastery today.
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 best AI flirting and conversation trainers on XIX.AI. Our curated, top-rated selection helps you build social charisma and confidence in real-time. Explore must-try, game-changing tools with free vs paid comparisons and weekly updated rankings. Unlock your social edge today.
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI tools for automated unit testing. Our curated selection features powerful, game-changing solutions to generate Jest, PyTest & JUnit test cases instantly. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests and weekly updated rankings on XIX.AI. Unlock your AI edge and boost development productivity today.
10 tools
xix.ai
