Perfect Dark Was Almost Saved By A Last-Minute Deal With Take-Two

"Unfortunately, those talks apparently fell through at least in part due to disagreements over IP rights. The idea was that Embracer-owned Crystal Dynamics, which was co-developing the stealth shooter with now defunct Xbox studio The Initiative, would complete the project under a new publishing deal with Take-Two. The two companies reportedly came "close" to a deal but one of the things that ultimately sunk talks was disagreement over who would own the Perfect Dark franchise, which currently belongs to Microsoft, over the long-term."

"If Perfect Dark had been a success, the IP rights would have become way more valuable over night with the potential for sequels or TV and movie adaptations. But for that to happen it would have had to come out. How much will the IP be worth with no new game in over 15 years? This deal falling through is seemingly why Crystal Dynamics announced new layoffs last week."

Perfect Dark was canceled amid mass Microsoft cuts, prompting a brief attempt to find a new publisher to complete the game. Embracer-owned Crystal Dynamics, co-developer with now-defunct The Initiative, pursued a publishing deal with Take-Two to finish the stealth shooter. Talks reportedly nearly succeeded but collapsed partly due to disagreements over long-term ownership of the Perfect Dark franchise, which remains Microsoft property. The failed deal likely contributed to recent layoffs at Crystal Dynamics. The IP's potential value hinged on release-driven opportunities like sequels and screen adaptations. Microsoft has rehomed other studios, but that path did not materialize for Perfect Dark.

Read at Kotaku