A video was released courtesy of Kotaku, showing an apparent gameplay of the Xbox one rebooted Phantom Dust after Darkside games shutdown. The clip shows a brief player versus player gameplay, showcasing a 'draft' of its game elements, notably its destructible environment. However, in the midst of game development, Microsoft severed its ties with Darkside games, the company developing Phantom dust leading to its eventual shutdown.
Microsoft first announced a Phantom Dust reboot in June 2014, telling fans that it will be an Xbox one exclusive. The game was first released in 2004 in Japan for the Xbox, though Microsoft almost cancelled a US version release because of an apparent low demand. However, Microsoft's deal with Majesco, a video game publisher based in New Jersey, finally brought the game to North America in 2005.
Phantom Dust is an action strategy game set in an Earth that is now a dust-ridden wasteland. No record of human history survived as people sought shelter underground. Eventually a group of humans with powers able to control the dust emerged and were called Espers. Unsure why the Earth became uninhabitable, the Espers started exploring the surface, seeking answers to the cause of the planet's death.
The game was well-received on its US release, which led Microsoft to plan its Xbox one reboot. Microsoft said that the reboot is more like a 'remake' updating dated graphics, fixing known issues and adding a small percentage of new material.
Even after the shutdown of Darkside games, Microsoft said through Gamespot that Phantom Dust is still in development, though further details on the game are not yet available. The Xbox One is steadily pacing with its rival, the PS4 in a console tug of war. Big game titles are set for release this year on both platforms, which can lead to another golden age in console gaming.
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