A new report discusses how ZeniMax’s cancelled MMORPG, Project Blackbird, was scrapped despite impressing Xbox Executives and even Phil Spencer.
For those wondering, ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of Elder Scrolls Online, has been developing a new MMORPG, codenamed Project Blackbird, since 2018. The MMORPG was recently cancelled as part of a massive round of layoffs at Xbox and Microsoft. New details reveal Xbox’s initial reception of the game before its cancellation.
Xbox Cancelled Blackbird MMO Despite Impressing Executives
According to a report by Bloomberg, the cancellation of the ZeniMax MMO stunned everyone, as it had “blown away executives at Xbox” just a couple of months before the cancellation. The report also tells us about a demonstration in March, where Phil Spencer was so hooked to the game that Matt Booty had to step in and take the controller away so that the meeting could continue. The information comes from two people who were present during this meeting.
It wasn’t just Phil Spencer who was impressed with ZeniMax’s now-cancelled MMO; other Xbox executives also had “nothing but complimentary words for the project”. The development cycle was pretty long, with the game being worked on since 2018; however, it “appeared to be making good progress”. Which is why the employees were shocked when it was cancelled, and none of them received an explanation either.
ZeniMax’s Blackbird MMORPG was not the only game cancelled during the recent layoffs; Rare’s Everwild and The Initiative’s Perfect Dark were also caught in the crossfire. What are your thoughts on Xbox cancelling ZeniMax’s MMORPG despite impressing executives? Let us know through the official Insider Gaming forums discussion.
For more information from Insider Gaming, read about Hideo Kojima’s OD being reportedly unaffected by the recent Xbox layoffs. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
If Phil liked it then it was probably bad.