Some video material from project blackbirdCanceled online multiplayer title microsoftIt was posted on social media almost six months after his death. project blackbird It was handled by Zenimax Online Studios, a Microsoft subsidiary. Elder Scrolls OnlineUntil the tech giant called for its cancellation.
Development has been underway since 2018, project blackbird It is said to be an MMO third-person shooter and action RPG that takes inspiration from other space-based titles such as: warframe and Destiny 2. Although little was known project blackbird During its active development period, former Zenimax Online server engineer Eric Whelpley praised the game. Wellply said this project blackbird He said it was “very good” and that “the game would have made players happy” if it had been able to complete development and release.
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Unfortunately, project blackbird Microsoft canceled it, along with other games such as: perfect dark remake it Everwild. Despite the cancellation, some internal videos were released. project blackbird eXtas1stv posted on Twitter. It's unclear how the two-minute video was obtained, but it was intended to demonstrate the game's lighting system. video of project blackbird It took place in a dark, futuristic setting with armed soldiers interacting with alien characters that can be seen throughout the video. Although character animations were not shown in the leaked video, some neon signs and railcar systems were also demonstrated. Residual moisture from the city fog could also be seen in the windows of some buildings, casting soft shadows of various characters on the dark pavement. It is not known which game engine was utilized. project blackbirddevelopment.
Despite the lack of gameplay animation, the lighting demo video is project blackbird Before Microsoft pulled the plug, the development cycle was still at a standstill. in other words, project blackbird was among the casualties of Microsoft's July 2025 layoffs, which resulted in the loss of about 9,000 jobs, with small job losses in May and June. The mass layoffs impacted across its subsidiaries, including Xbox Game Studios and Zenimax Online Studios. Zenimax Online founder Matt Firor also left the company a few days later. project blackbird Canceled. In late July, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the company was “thriving” despite the controversial decision. The tech giant's push to use AI to replace some employees has been seen as a potential trigger for layoffs.
Project Blackbird's cancellation still remains
After the sudden end project blackbirdAs its development progressed, rumors spread on social media about the driving force behind its demise. According to one rumor fallout 5 It was the driving force behind the amputation. project blackbird. According to gaming industry insider Jez Corden, Microsoft has chosen to make strategic moves into other areas, including reallocating resources to known IPs such as: fallout. It's highly unlikely fallout 5 was the main cause of project blackbird's cancellation potentially played a role in Microsoft's decision.
But Microsoft may still be facing a difficult 2026. Some rumors have suggested that Microsoft may make further job cuts early in the year, but Microsoft COO Frank However, it's unclear whether Shaw's statement only referred to Xbox Game Studios not being affected by future job cuts, or if it applied company-wide. With video of project blackbirdNow that you can see its development on social media, time will tell whether we'll see footage of other canceled Microsoft game projects.
Source: Insider Games
