Project Blackbird Cancellation Seen As Missed Opportunity
Microsoft has canceled the ambitious MMO Project Blackbird due to financial concerns. Former director Matt Firor described the decision as a purely business-driven move. This cancellation is viewed as a significant missed opportunity for Xbox's live-service market.
Coverage across 5 outlets
Canceled Project Blackbird May Have Been Perfect Replacement For Destiny, Insider Says
Insider reports suggest Microsoft's canceled action-RPG MMO, Project Blackbird, could have been a successful replacement for Destiny 2. Developed by the ZeniMax team, the game was reportedly canceled in mid-2025 due to financial reasons, despite positive internal feedback. Its cancellation is seen as a missed opportunity for Xbox to fill a void in the live-service market.
Elder Scrolls Online director says his cancelled MMO was a "missed opportunity" for Bethesda and Xbox, but "a giant successful video game" isn't enough for Microsoft's higher-ups
Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor described his cancelled MMO, Project Blackbird, as a "missed opportunity" for Bethesda and Xbox, but understood Microsoft's decision to cancel it due to its large investment risk. Firor explained that while the game was in development for seven years, it wasn't in full production for that entire duration, and the cancellation was a business decision driven by the need for reliable, forecastable revenue streams.
Matt Firor laments Project Blackbird’s cancellation as ‘a number on a ledger’ to Microsoft
Former ZeniMax Online Studios president Matt Firor expressed his disappointment over Microsoft's cancellation of the MMO Project Blackbird, describing the decision as purely financial. He believes the game's cancellation was a loss for the entertainment industry, highlighting the cyclical nature of game development revenues for publicly traded companies.
Former ESO boss Matt Firor talks about the death of unrealised MMO Project Blackbird: 'Microsoft is Microsoft'
Former Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor discussed the cancellation of Project Blackbird, an unreleased MMO from Zenimax Online Studios. Firor expressed disappointment, calling it a missed opportunity for all involved, and reflected on how Microsoft's business priorities led to the project's demise.
“We’re a number on a ledger" - ex-Elder Scrolls Online studio head says Microsoft cancelling Project Blackbird was a "missed opportunity"
Former ZeniMax Online Studios head Matt Firor described Microsoft's cancellation of the unannounced MMO Project Blackbird as a "missed opportunity" for all parties involved. Firor, who resigned after the project's canning, explained that while he understood the business reasoning behind the decision, it was a "devastating blow" to the team who had invested heavily in building a new engine for the game.
Microsoft Killed MMO Project Blackbird Because It Was A Line Item On A Ledger, Dev Says
Former The Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor revealed that Microsoft canceled ZeniMax's Project Blackbird due to financial reasons, with the project being viewed as just a number on a ledger during a business review. Firor described the cancellation as a heartbreaking but understandable business decision, noting the cyclical nature of the video game industry compared to more predictable revenue streams. Following the cancellation and layoffs, some former employees formed the new studio Sackbird Studios.
