News: A new Bloomberg report says Microsoft has canceled ZeniMax Online’s MMO project ‘Blackbird’

licenturion · July 2

Source: https://thegamepost.com/xbox-cancels-zenimaxs-new-unannounced-mmo-blackbird-layoffs/#:~:text=Xbox%20Cancels%20ZeniMax's%20New%20MMO%20'Blackbird'%20Amid%20Layoffs%20–%20Report,-By%20Abdullah%20Jawad&text=A%20new%20report%20says%20Xbox,across%20Microsoft's%20gaming%20teams.

Now maybe ESO gets more focus again now.

In related news: Matt Firor, long‑time head of ZeniMax Online Studios and the creative force behind ESO, also steps down (Thx Maitsukas)

UPDATE: Story has been officially confirmed: https://www.eurogamer.net/perfect-dark-reboot-and-new-zenimax-mmorpg-reportedly-cancelled-as-part-of-latest-microsoft-cuts

Asikoo · July 2

If this is true, I have an idea why someone would cancel a project with Zenimax. But I won’t say it! ... it’s damn easy to figure out.

But I’ll give you a few hints about what I’m thinking;
It’s a 10-year-old game, has made over $2 billion in profit, and yet the servers are always down, constantly need maintenance, and so on... It’s not hard to understand why someone might cancel a project with them. lol

LadyGP · July 2

Asikoo wrote: »

If this is true, I have an idea why someone would cancel a project with Zenimax. But I won’t say it! ... it’s damn easy to figure out.

But I’ll give you a few hints about what I’m thinking;
It’s a 10-year-old game, has made over $2 billion in profit, and yet the servers are always down, constantly need maintenance, and so on... It’s not hard to understand why someone might cancel a project with them. lol

It's so much deeper than that. They shut down numerous games today. Microsoft said if they fail at Halo they are a failed studio (paraphrasing) so it sounds like with Halo being a failure they underwent a whole evaluation for the studios they work with/own. I think this is just part of that.

Maitsukas · July 2

Matt Firor has stepped down, so it may be possible the two events are connected:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/679981/zos-update-from-matt-firor#latest

Renato90085 · July 2

What going on?

licenturion · July 2

Renato90085 wrote: »

What going on?

Microsoft is chopping a lot of people and games everywhere right now.

But hey pretty sure Call Of Duty 3628 and Diablo season 357 will survive the cuts.

ApoAlaia · July 2

Given that these kind of decisions come with heaps of livelihoods affected hope you'll forgive me if I don't open the champagne.

Renato90085 · July 2

licenturion wrote: »

Renato90085 wrote: »

What going on?

Microsoft is chopping a lot of people and games everywhere right now.

But hey pretty sure Call Of Duty 3628 and Diablo season 357 will survive the cuts.

It mean Zos new mmo dead?
Does it have any impact on eso?

sarahthes · July 2

Renato90085 wrote: »

licenturion wrote: »

Renato90085 wrote: »

What going on?

Microsoft is chopping a lot of people and games everywhere right now.

But hey pretty sure Call Of Duty 3628 and Diablo season 357 will survive the cuts.

It mean Zos new mmo dead?
Does it have any impact on eso?

Doubtful, the projects wouldn't have shared staff normally. If structured like a normal company.

wilykcat · July 2

Maitsukas wrote: »

Matt Firor has stepped down, so it may be possible the two events are connected:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/679981/zos-update-from-matt-firor#latest

I was thinking that these events are connected too. Microsoft is having layoffs and lots of Microsoft owned game companies are losing employees. This isn't just Zenimax but it's affecting Blizzard Entertainment too. What is happening 😳

spartaxoxo · July 2

Maitsukas wrote: »

Matt Firor has stepped down, so it may be possible the two events are connected:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/679981/zos-update-from-matt-firor#latest

Oh man, that's sad news. It seems like a lot of games have been axed today

MaraxusTheOrc · July 2

Matt Firor, if you see this:

You gave so many of us a virtual world to call home. You dedicated so much of your life and energy towards this, and we are grateful. I hope you weren’t pushed out amidst this stuff with Microsoft, and I hope whatever comes next you find as fulfilling as I imagine it was to bring ESO to life.

Thank you Matt.

Elsonso · July 2

Ben Jones (Game Director) confirmed this on LinkedIn. Sadness for people who were working on that project.

ZOS_GregoryV · July 2

Greetings,

As this thread is not in regards to The Elder Scrolls Online, we have decided to close it.

Thank you for your understanding,
-Greg-