Xbox Initiative Head Departs After Perfect Dark Remake Cancellation, Expresses ‘Pride for Our Achievements’

Departure Announcement of Darrell Gallagher from The Initiative

Earlier today, Darrell Gallagher, the head of Initiative Studio, announced his exit from Xbox via LinkedIn. He shared his sentiments regarding the dedicated work put forth by his development team on the much-anticipated remake of Perfect Dark, despite Microsoft’s decision to ultimately cancel the project.

The Journey at Xbox

Gallagher reflected on his time at Xbox, noting, “After an incredible journey, my time at Xbox has come to a close with the wind-down of Perfect Dark and The Initiative.”He expressed immense pride in leading a passionate group of talented individuals. Together, they endeavored to reimagine a beloved franchise, infusing creativity and dedication into every phase of development. The positive public response and enthusiasm for their efforts have been immensely gratifying for the entire team.

Looking Ahead

Although this chapter concludes more abruptly than anticipated, Gallagher emphasized that the innovative spirit and accomplishments of his team will continue to resonate beyond the project. He conveyed his gratitude for the opportunities provided by Xbox, the support from partners, and the belief exhibited by the community in their vision. He leaves with a deep sense of pride in their collective achievements and optimism for future endeavors—both for himself and the incredibly talented developers he had the pleasure to work alongside.

An Attempt to Revive Perfect Dark

Although the cancellation of the Perfect Dark project was made public over two months ago, Gallagher’s formal announcement of his departure comes now. This delay was reportedly due to a final attempt to save the project by negotiating a deal with Take-Two Interactive for the game’s rights. Unfortunately, negotiations between Take-Two and Microsoft stalled, with both parties failing to reach an agreement regarding the long-term ownership of this iconic franchise.

Gallagher’s Impressive Career

Throughout his career spanning over seven and a half years at The Initiative, Gallagher has amassed a wealth of experience. His prior roles include prominent positions at Sony, Rockstar, THQ, and Crystal Dynamics. During his tenure at Crystal Dynamics, he transitioned from Director of Art to Studio Head, where he successfully led the acclaimed Tomb Raider reboot trilogy—a significant factor in his selection to spearhead the Perfect Dark reboot. Furthermore, Gallagher spent two years at Activision as Senior VP and Head of Development, contributing to renowned titles such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Call of Duty series, Destiny 2, and the Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy.

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