In Microsoft’s recent restructuring, a highly anticipated game, codenamed “Blackbird,” was unfortunately canceled. This title was part of ZeniMax Online Studios and had garnered attention over the years alongside other projects like Rare’s Everwild and the Perfect Dark reboot.
Initially teased in a 2020 document related to the FTC vs. Microsoft case, “Blackbird,” formerly known as “Project Kestrel,” was set to offer players an exciting third-person sci-fi MMORPG experience. Think of games like Titanfall with high mobility and a massive open world, focusing on a capital city called “Exodus.” Xbox executives praised the game’s potential, making its cancellation a real letdown for fans.
Recently, over two minutes of footage surfaced, showcasing various development animations. The clips include facial animations, weapon tests, and mobility cycles for five alien species: W’Hurra, Wretzel, Skreev, Coyo, and Kronar. The W’Hurrans, described as tall, furry aliens who excel in business, stood out as intriguing characters, while the Wretzel appeared more humanoid, hinting at possible player interactions. The other species—Skreev, Coyo, and Kronar—had animalistic traits, likely intended as part of the game’s wildlife.
The footage also featured a prototype character in sci-fi armor, displaying both light and heavy weapon animations. Body proportion tests suggested customization options for players. All this material was likely captured shortly after the game’s cancellation, but details about its development stage remain unclear.
The cancellation hit hard, directly affecting over 200 developers who had worked tirelessly on the project. Contrary to early reports stating that no ZeniMax Online developers were laid off, industry journalist Jason Schreier later clarified that many were indeed losing their jobs after severance negotiations.
It’s worth noting that in the midst of all this, Bethesda’s highly anticipated sci-fi RPG, Starfield, won’t be available on the PS5 this year and is instead aiming for a Spring 2026 release.
The gaming community has had varied reactions to the cancellation of “Blackbird.” Fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with many wishing they could have experienced the game’s ambitious universe.
As we look to the future, the landscape of gaming continues to evolve rapidly. Restructuring and cancellations are common, but developers’ passion for creating immersive worlds remains strong. For those interested, you can find more about the industry’s changes in larger reports, such as those from IGN or GameSpot.
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