Released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, the first Perfect Dark game was an innovative first-person shooter that built upon the groundwork of Rare's 1997 GoldenEye 007 to produce another beloved N64 classic. That being said, Perfect Dark has gained more of a cult status in the modern age, with the series only really consisting of two entries, and the second one being remembered as a bit of a disappointment. But it's almost time for the Perfect Dark series to hit consoles once again, with the long-awaited reboot finally rearing its head after an extended period of absence.
While a few rumors have surfaced over the last year or so that have claimed the Perfect Dark reboot is in serious trouble, it definitely didn't give that impression during its recent gameplay reveal trailer. Shown once again during an Xbox Games Showcase, Perfect Dark looks like it could offer the ideal spy fantasy video game, offering plenty of high-tech gadgets, parkour, gun fu, and of course, a mysterious mastermind at the helm of some world-ending plot.
Perfect Dark's Carrington Explained
Carrington's Role in the Original Perfect Dark
In the original 2000 Perfect Dark, players are quickly introduced to Daniel Carrington, CEO of the Carrington Institute and the boss of protagonist Joanna Dark. While the Carrington Institute is officially a private military research and development center, it also doubles as the home of a private spy network, one in which Joanna Dark has climbed into its top ranks.
As Joanna Dark's employer and the head of the Carrington Institute, Daniel Carrington makes frequent appearances in the original Perfect Dark, the Game Boy Color prequel of the same name, and the Xbox 360 prequel Perfect Dark Zero. Carrington is often seen giving Joanna Dark her mission orders and speaking to her during gameplay.
In the original Perfect Dark continuity, Daniel Carrington and his institute are in a secretive war against fellow corporation DataDyne, and its leader, Cassandra De Vries, whom Carrington has a long and mysterious history with. While the Carrington Institute is in league with the Maian alien race, DataDyne is being supported by the Maians' long-time enemy, the Skedar, a race of highly advanced reptilian extraterrestrials. Generally speaking, Daniel Carrington is portrayed as a good person and a caring boss.
Carrington's Role in the Perfect Dark Reboot
Daniel Carrington is set to make a return in the upcoming Perfect Dark reboot, but his role is seemingly very different in this continuity. Based on the recent Perfect Dark gameplay trailer, Daniel Carrington seems to be taking on the role of the archetypal evil mastermind typical of spy movies like James Bond or Mission: Impossible. In the trailer, Joanna Dark is sent to infiltrate Carrington's hideout in Cairo and apprehend the mysterious figure. When Dark gets to the hideout, she's told that Carrington plans to attack the nearby research facility that's holding a tech summit, a plan that could apparently kill an "astronomical" number of civilians.
But things might not be as they seem. According to an Xbox Wire post regarding Perfect Dark's recent trailer, Daniel Carrington's role will "play a major part" in Joanna Dark learning who she can trust, and who is "working against her own goals." It seems possible that Daniel Carrington might not actually be an evil mastermind, but instead someone that Joanna Dark might come to side with during the course of her story, something that would make their relationship resemble the original series much more closely.
Perfect Dark (2025)
- Developer(s)
- The Initiative
WHERE TO PLAY
The Initiative's Perfect Dark sees the return of secret agent Joanna Dark, as she goes on an action-packed journey to hunt down Daniel Carrington. The story-driven FPS game is coming to PC and Xbox consoles.
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Franchise
- Perfect Dark
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
