Xbox Cancels 2 Games: Perfect Dark & Everwild
- Microsoft has announced broad layoffs of around 9,000 – hitting 4% of its global workforce across every division at the company, with a good chunk of those hitting...
- Xbox studio The Initiative was one of the most heavily impacted with the studio being closed down.
- As a result of this, both the reboot of “Perfect Dark,” Rare’s “Everwild” and ZeniMax’s new MMORPG “Blackbird” are all reportedly cancelled.
Microsoft has announced broad layoffs of around 9,000 – hitting 4% of its global workforce across every division at the company, with a good chunk of those hitting Xbox.
Xbox studio The Initiative was one of the most heavily impacted with the studio being closed down.
As a result of this, both the reboot of “Perfect Dark,” Rare’s “Everwild” and ZeniMax’s new MMORPG “Blackbird” are all reportedly cancelled.
Microsoft says it will work with staffers to provide severance and support, and has encouraged developers to apply for other Xbox positions within the company. Microsoft has reportedly laid off over 15,000 people in 2025.
The Initiative is the only studio closure planned today, but other teams are seeing cuts of varying degrees.
The company says they have more than 40 projects in active development and
“a strong slate headed into 2026”.
Source: Windows Central