A mass exodus is due to "a lack of creative autonomy and slow development progress."
A new report suggests that Perfect Dark reboot developer The Initiative is currently experiencing high staff turnover due to “a lack of creative autonomy and slow development progress.”
VGC’s report is based off interviews with former employees of The Initiative and suggests that approximately 30-35 people have left the studio within the last year.
Of note, game director Dan Neuburger, design director Drew Murray, lead level designer Chris O’Neill and principal world builder Jolyon Myers are among the list of high-level employees who are no longer with the developer.
In a statement to the outlet, The Initiative studio head Darrell Gallagher said that, “in this journey, it’s not uncommon for there to be staffing changes, especially during a time of global upheaval over the last two years, and there’s plenty more work in front of us to deliver a fantastic Perfect Dark experience to our players.
“We wish all our former colleagues the very best, and I’m confident in the team we have in place, the new talent joining, and we can’t wait to share more with the fans.”
Gallagher and Neuburger were previous employees of Tomb Raider‘s Crystal Dynamics, a studio that’s now working with The Initiative on Perfect Dark. VGC suggests the third-party studio was brought in because of its familiarity with Gallagher’s management style.
The Perfect Dark reboot was announced in December 2020; a release window has not been detailed.
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