Xbox’s Perfect Dark reboot will be co-developed by Avengers’ Crystal Dynamics

Xbox has signed up Marvel’s Avengers and Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics to help develop its Perfect Dark reboot.

In a statement published on social media, Xbox’s new The Initiative studio – which itself is led by the former studio head of Crystal Dynamics – said the Rise of the Tomb Raider developer would be partnering with it on Perfect Dark.

The person in charge of the Perfect Dark project, game director Daniel Neuburger, was also previously game director on the Tomb Raider series.

“Perfect Dark update! We are partnering with Crystal Dynamics, the world-class team behind character-driven games such as Tomb Raider, to bring this first-person spy thriller to a new generation,” The Initiative said.

“The teams couldn’t pass up a chance to work together.  We’re still early in development, but incredibly excited to use this unique opportunity to deliver on the vision for Perfect Dark!”

Crystal Dynamics said in its own statement: “We couldn’t be more excited to join forces with The Initiative to bring Perfect Dark to a new generation of gamers! We thrive on reimagining epic heroes and can’t wait to realize this first-person spy thriller together.

“We’re thrilled to add Perfect Dark to our development efforts alongside Marvel’s Avengers and Tomb Raider.”

Perfect Dark was announced during The Game Awards in December 2020, finally confirming what the new first-party studio was creating.

Established in 2018, The Initiative is led by Darrell Gallagher, the former Activision development boss and head of Crystal Dynamics, developer of the Tomb Raider series.

Veterans of the industry’s premier third-person action games are working on the new Perfect Dark at Xbox’s The Initiative studio, according to VGC analysis.

Given the extensive experience its staff has on series like Tomb Raider, God of War and Uncharted, it’s possible that Perfect Dark will feature third-person elements, though its Xbox game page lists it  as a first-person shooter.