ZeniMax Cancels Sci-Fi MMO “Blackbird” After Seven Years

The Xbox ecosystem’s recent round of layoffs and project cancellations has swept through one of the MMO genre’s flagship studios: ZeniMax Online Studios. After a seven-year development cycle, the sci-fi MMO code-named “Blackbird” has been cancelled, and studio founder Matt Firor—architect of Elder Scrolls Online—has stepped away. For MMO enthusiasts and anyone hoping for big-budget, original online worlds, this news hits hard.

Background: Blackbird’s Long Road

Blackbird was conceived as ZeniMax’s first new online IP since Elder Scrolls Online. Early reports indicated the team was building a custom engine and crafting a fresh sci-fi universe. That investment in technology and lore suggested Xbox had approved full production—only for corporate strategy to shift just as momentum was building.

Cancellation and Leadership Shift

• Project Halted: Blackbird was cancelled in pre-production, halting all development.
• Founder Departs: After 18 years, Matt Firor leaves ZeniMax; veteran Jo Burba takes over studio leadership.
• Layoff Context: This decision follows broader Xbox Game Studios staff cuts and a pullback from high-risk investments.

Spec Snapshot

Feature	Detail
Publisher	ZeniMax Online Studios / Xbox Game Studios
Status	Cancelled in pre-production
Genre	MMO, Sci-Fi (unreleased)
Platforms	Unconfirmed (expected PC, Xbox Series X/S)

Immediate Fallout for Elder Scrolls Online

With Firor’s departure and fresh layoff waves, questions swirl around ESO’s roadmaps and expansion cadence. Studio leadership insists Elder Scrolls Online remains a priority, but history shows that corporate retrenchment often leads to reduced live-service support and delayed content drops.

Industry Implications: Xbox’s Risk Aversion

Blackbird’s cancellation underlines a wider trend at Xbox Game Studios: large-scale original projects are increasingly vulnerable, regardless of development stage. For fans of groundbreaking MMOs, this marks another chapter in the diminishing appetite for high-risk, high-reward ventures.

What MMO Fans Should Watch

• Track ESO announcements closely—roadmap updates may signal shifts in support.
• Follow studio leader communications for insights into future projects.
• Keep an eye on industry reports about Xbox’s investment strategy and funding priorities.

Summary

ZeniMax Online Studios has cancelled its code-named sci-fi MMO Blackbird after a seven-year development cycle. Founder Matt Firor has exited, and Jo Burba has assumed leadership amid broader Xbox layoffs. MMO fans should temper expectations for new original worlds and monitor updates on Elder Scrolls Online’s future support.