Xbox’s Canceled MMORPG Project Blackbird Footage Leaks Online

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It’s unfortunately common for video games to be canceled during development, and many highly anticipated titles never actually come out. While there are various reasons for this, it’s especially disappointing when the decision comes from the company running the studio, rather than the game developers themselves. This happened recently with Microsoft Gaming, which closed down several smaller studios and canceled their projects.

One of the most interesting cancelled projects was Project Blackbird, a new sci-fi online game being developed by the creators of Elder Scrolls Online. Recently, a leaked video offered a glimpse of the game’s potential look and feel. Here’s a breakdown of what Project Blackbird was and what it might have offered players.

What Was Project Blackbird, And What Happened To It?

In 2025, Microsoft made cuts that led to the cancellation of several games, including Project Blackbird, a massively multiplayer online game being developed by ZeniMax. Development began in 2018 with a team of experienced developers who had previously worked on games like Fallout 76 and Doom. Very little information about Project Blackbird was ever publicly released, and it wasn’t even clear if that was the game’s final name. Originally planned for release in 2028, the game was reportedly progressing well – so well, in fact, that Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer was said to be so engrossed in playing it that someone had to stop him!

The game was unfortunately cancelled last year, leading some developers, including Matt Frior, to leave the company. Though some have since started their own studio called Sackbird, Frior has expressed his sadness about the project’s failure. Now, a leaked video offers a glimpse of what Project Blackbird might have become. It isn’t a complete demo, but it does show the years of work ZeniMax put into it.

What Does The Project Blackbird Leak Include?

A two-minute clip of the cancelled game Project Blackbird suggests it would have been a rival to Cyberpunk 2077. The footage only shows the game’s world, offering few clues about the story, characters, or how it would have played. It appears the game was set in a futuristic, cyberpunk city, featuring armored soldiers and aliens among the urban streets.

The footage shows someone talking to an alien at a gun stall, hinting that the game was set in a sci-fi world with a strong focus on combat. The city environment featured multiple levels, suggesting players could explore vertically. It also appears the game would have included different character classes and told a story about authorities dealing with conflicts between various cultures.

Why It’s So Frustrating That Project Blackbird Never Reached Gamers

The cancellation of Project Blackbird is a letdown for both players and developers. It was exciting to think of the team behind Elder Scrolls Online using their expertise to create something new. Though it would have faced tough competition as a science fiction MMO, early concepts showed a promising world where players battled both human authorities and alien forces. After years of work, the game clearly meant a great deal to Matt Firor, the former director of Elder Scrolls Online, who recently left ZeniMax after two decades with the company.

According to a recent social media post, game developer Firor resigned after his long-awaited project, Project Blackbird, was canceled. Firor and his team clearly had strong faith in the game, which had progressed to the point where it was being tested internally at Microsoft. The cancellation came without a clear explanation, adding to the disappointment. It’s unfortunate that Project Blackbird will likely never be completed, denying it the opportunity to succeed or fail on its own merits.

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2026-01-20 00:12