Perfect Dark's voice actor is calling on fans to rally support for the game after its cancellation. Discover the reactions and concerns of the cast following the closure of both the game and its development studio.
Perfect Dark Cast Responds to Game Cancellation
Voice Actor Calls on Community to Rescue Perfect Dark
Among the titles canceled during Microsoft's recent layoffs was Perfect Dark, prompting protagonist Joanna Dark's voice actor, Alix Wilton Regan, to encourage fans to voice their support if they want to save the project. In a July 4 post on X (formerly Twitter), Regan mentioned receiving numerous inquiries about whether another studio might revive the game.
She expressed, "I TRULY HOPE THERE'S STILL GOOD IN THIS WORLD." Regan is celebrated for her performances in numerous video games, including the Female Inquisitor in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Aya in Assassin’s Creed: Origins, and Samantha Traynor in Mass Effect 3.
When news broke about the cancellation and the shutdown of developer The Initiative, Regan shared her sympathy for those impacted by the studio's closure. In a July 3 post on X, she wrote, "It was an honor to collaborate with the incredible team at The Initiative. My heart goes out to everyone affected by today's events. Like Joanna, we will all find a way to rise again."
The Persistent Risk of Video Game Cancellations
Another actor from Perfect Dark voiced worries about the project's termination and the time invested in it. On July 4, Elias Toufexis took to X to discuss how frequent cancellations create instability in the industry, highlighting the financial impact on performers when development halts abruptly.
Though his specific role wasn't disclosed, Toufexis is widely recognized for portraying characters like Adam Jensen in the Deus Ex series, Takkar in Far Cry Primal, and Sam Coe in Starfield. He revealed, "I completed several acting sessions for Perfect Dark that were ultimately discarded. Thousands of dollars I had anticipated and budgeted for vanished instantly... Now, with every directing or acting role in games, I wake up anxious it might get canceled."
Some followers misinterpreted his tweet, assuming the actors weren't compensated after the cancellation, which he promptly corrected. In a follow-up post, Toufexis clarified, "That's not the case. I get paid for the days I've already worked—they're required to. But during ongoing projects, studios 'hold' certain days each month for scheduling, which affects our ability to take other gigs."
He reflected on those reserved dates, thinking about the lost income. "It's hard not to consider the potential earnings from those held days," Toufexis admitted.
According to an internal email from Xbox CEO Phil Spencer on July 3, these difficult decisions align with the company's plan to "make strategic choices now to ensure long-term success, focusing on the most promising opportunities." Despite the setback, the community remains optimistic that another publisher or studio could adopt Perfect Dark and resume its development.
