The cancellation of an unrevealed sci-fi project at ZeniMax Online Studios prompted the resignation of its president, Matt Firor. Firor, who oversaw The Elder Scrolls Online, described the game as the one he had awaited his entire career. Developers from the project have since formed a new studio.
In a recent LinkedIn post shared on Bluesky, Matt Firor, former president of ZeniMax Online Studios, revealed that the cancellation of Project Blackbird directly caused his departure from the company. "Project Blackbird was the game I had waited my entire career to create, and having it cancelled led to my resignation," Firor stated. He added, "The most obvious explanation is the correct one," emphasizing the project's significance to him.
Project Blackbird, a new sci-fi intellectual property separate from The Elder Scrolls Online, had been in development since 2018 using a new engine. Although still in pre-production, it was poised for full development, with reports indicating that Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer and Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty had positive impressions of it. The cancellation occurred amid broader industry turbulence last summer, including other high-profile project terminations at Xbox studios like Rare's Everwild and The Initiative's Perfect Dark, alongside widespread layoffs.
Firor expressed sympathy for the affected team, noting, "My heart and thoughts are always with the impacted team members, many of whom I had worked 20+ years with, and all of whom were the most dedicated, amazingly talented group of developers in the industry." Some Blackbird developers have founded Sackbird Studios, described as fully employee-owned and funded, and are now working on a new project. Firor is not directly involved but provides informal advice to the team.
Looking ahead, Firor has not yet decided on his next steps and has not seriously considered starting a new studio. However, he mentioned investments in small teams that he believes will influence the industry's future. He also paid tribute to the Elder Scrolls Online team and its players, revealing that he now counts himself among the latter.