Some video footage from The Blackbird ProjectA canceled online multiplayer title from MicrosoftIt was posted on social media about 6 months after his death. The Blackbird Project It was handled by Zenimax Online Studio, a subsidiary of Microsoft, the makers of The Elder Scrolls OnlineUntil the tech giant called for its cancellation.
In development since 2018, The Blackbird Project The MMO was said to be a third-person shooter and action RPG that took inspiration from other space-based titles. Warframe and Fate 2. However, very little was known The Blackbird Project During its active development, former Zenimax Online server engineer Eric Whelpley had praise for the game. Vale said The Blackbird Project was “very fantastic” and “the game would have delighted players” if it had been allowed to finish development and make it to full release.
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unfortunately, The Blackbird Project Like other games it was canceled by Microsoft Perfect Dark Remake and Everwild. Some interior footage though cancelled The Blackbird Project Posted on Twitter by eXtas1stv. Although it is unclear how the two-minute video was obtained, it was intended to demonstrate the game's lighting system. Footage from The Blackbird Project Taking place in a dark, futuristic environment, armed soldiers are talking to alien characters that can be seen throughout the video. Although no character animations were shown in the leaked footage, some neon signs and a train car system were also demonstrated. The residual dampness of the city's smog was visible even in the windows of some of the buildings, and soft shadows were cast on the dark pavement from various characters. It is not known what game engine was used for The Blackbird Projectdevelopment of
Despite the lack of gameplay animation, the light demo footage was a good indicator The Blackbird Project It was still deep into its development cycle before Microsoft pulled the plug. in short, The Blackbird Project Microsoft's July 2025 layoff was one of the casualties, shedding about 9,000 jobs after smaller job losses in May and June. The massive cuts hit Xbox Game Studios and its subsidiaries, including Zenimax Online Studios, across the board. ZeniMax Online founder Matt Firr also left the company a few days later The Blackbird Project was cancelled. In late July, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the company was “thriving” despite controversial decisions. The tech giant's push to use AI as a replacement for some employees was seen as a possible factor behind its job cuts.
The cancellation of Project Blackbird is still long
After the sudden end of The Blackbird ProjectRumors spread on social media about its growth, the driving force behind its demise. A rumor has indicated that Fallout 5 was the driving factor behind the cut The Blackbird Project. According to gaming industry insider Jez Corden, Microsoft chose to make strategic moves in other areas, including reallocating resources towards well-known IPs. result. However, this is unlikely Fallout 5 was the main reason The Blackbird Projectit likely played a significant role in Microsoft's decisions.
However, 2026 could be even tougher for Microsoft. Although some rumors said the tech giant could still cut jobs early in the year, Microsoft COO Frank X Shaw denied claims of imminent cuts, calling the rumors “false” and “speculative” on social media. However, it is unclear if Shaw's statements were only about Xbox game studios being unaffected by future job cuts or if this extended to the entire company. With video of The Blackbird Project’s development is now available on social media, time will tell when footage of other canceled Microsoft gaming projects surface.
Source: Insider Gaming
