A level designer for Perfect Dark responded to accusations that the gameplay reveal shown at the 2024 Xbox showcase was ‘basically fake.’ The development studio, The Initiative, was shut down amidst Microsoft’s mass layoffs that began on July 2, 2025, leading to the game’s cancellation. The Initiative, founded in 2018, had centered its focus on the reboot of the classic Nintendo 64 first-person spy shooter that was first announced at The Game Awards in 2020.

Four years later, a three-minute gameplay segment was displayed at the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, showcasing stunning visuals and varied stealth mechanics, along with a glimpse of the new narrative.

In a post shared by Kotaku reporter Ethan Gach on Bluesky, a source indicated that the gameplay trailer was ‘basically fake.’ McDonald later addressed this issue, clarifying which portions of the trailer were real and which were not. He stated the gameplay showed was indeed in-engine but hinted that some elements were exaggerated for effect. McDonald reflected on the controlled nature of the gameplay presentation and affirmed that some aspects, like parkour and hacking mechanics, were functionally sound, albeit tailored to provide the best presentation within a limited scope.