Microsoft set up their youngest first party studio, The Initiative, a couple of years ago, and though we know they’re working on a major AAA production, what that production is has been the subject of much speculation. Recent reports have pegged it as a game set in the Perfect Dark universe (but not as a Perfect Dark game per se), and now, new details have possibly emerged on the project.
Recently during The Xbox Two podcast, prominent Xbox insider Rand al’Thor and Windows Central’s Jez Corden spoke about the game, and provided some rather interesting details. As previous leaks have mentioned, The Initiative’s debut game is a game set in the Perfect Dark universe, but isn’t necessarily a Perfect Dark game. It’s supposedly a third person stealth action title with a cyberpunk setting.
And this is where things get really interesting. It doesn’t look like this is going to be the cinematic Naughty Dog-style experience that many have been assuming it will be (contrary to what The Iniative’s recruitments may have led you to believe). The Initiative are apparently taking a seasonal approach to content- not episodic, per se, but with chunks of content released on a seasonal basis, with these seasons likened to Black Mirror episodes, in that they will be independent but connected in the grand scheme of things. Curiously enough, The Initiative’s work is also being likened to Remedy Entertainment’s approach, and being described as “experimental”.
It’s also claimed that we’ll be hearing more about this game soon- perhaps even as early as The Game Awards this Thursday. Recent rumours have indicated that Microsoft will be making an announcement at the show, so it’s certainly a possibility.
As with all rumours, take this with a grain of salt for now. We’ll keep you updated should we learn more, so stay tuned.
