Former ESO boss Matt Firor talks about the death of unrealised MMO Project Blackbird: ‘Microsoft is Microsoft’
The cancellation of Project Blackbird represents one of several losses in Microsoft’s post-Activision Blizzard acquisition restructuring. The MMO, developed by Zenimax Online Studios (creators of The Elder Scrolls Online), had been in development since 2018 but was shelved during Microsoft’s wave of layoffs and studio closures.
Matt Firor, the founder of Zenimax Online Studios and director of Project Blackbird, departed the studio following the project’s cancellation. In a recent interview with MinnMax, Firor reflected on the outcome, describing it as “a missed opportunity” for himself, the studio, and the industry. His perspective suggests a mismatch between corporate priorities and creative ambitions, noting that “a giant successful videogame on the Microsoft level was frankly not that stimulating to them.”
Firor’s comment encapsulates broader frustrations within the industry regarding Microsoft’s acquisition strategy. Following the $68.4 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard, the company undertook significant restructuring that resulted in the cancellation of multiple projects and studio closures. This approach has raised questions about Microsoft’s commitment to fostering new intellectual property and supporting ambitious game development outside its established franchises.