Blackbird: the MMO cancelled by Microsoft was “the game of their dreams” for a Bethesda veteran

The cancellation of the project led to the departure of Matt Firor, one of the big names behind The Elder Scrolls Online.

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Although it was never officially announced, Project Blackbird appears to have been one of the most ambitious projects that Microsoft Gaming canceled in recent months. Now, thanks to statements from Matt Firor, former head of The Elder Scrolls Online, we’re starting to understand the true scope of that MMO that never saw the light of day.

Firor, with a long history tied to Bethesda and ZeniMax Online Studios, spoke openly about the topic in a message posted on Bluesky on January 1. In it, he confirmed that he no longer has a direct relationship with the studio’s projects, beyond some informal advising, and explained for the first time the real reason for his departure.

A dream project that never materialized

According to Firor himself, the cancellation of Blackbird was the breaking point. The veteran developer claims that it was the game he had wanted to create throughout his entire career, and that its disappearance directly led to his resignation. Words that make clear the personal and professional impact of the decision within the team.

Firor also had words of support for the developers involved, many of whom had been working alongside him for over two decades. He described them as one of the most dedicated and talented teams in the industry, which reinforces the feeling that Blackbird was not a minor project within Microsoft’s structure.

Regarding his future, Firor admits that he’s still unsure. For now, he’s chosen to invest in and collaborate with small teams that, according to him, could play an important role in the evolution of the sector, without considering the creation of a new studio of his own just yet.

The story of Blackbird thus adds to the list of great canceled projects that we’ll never know in depth, but that leave a mark for what they could have been.