It’s not just that Xbox “stole their future”—you and I are missing out on something truly special thanks to the canned MMORPG. After the abrupt death of “Project Blackbird”, ZeniMax Online’s union cried foul, insisting there was no advance notice before Microsoft pulled the plug.

The wave of layoffs sweeping the Xbox ecosystem keeps sending shockwaves through various development studios, and now it’s the ZeniMax Online Studios United (ZOSU-CWA) union that’s speaking out. The developers behind The Elder Scrolls Online and the now-canceled internal MMO project known as Blackbird have released a statement expressing deep frustration and anxiety for the future after what they call a sudden and unexpected end to their collaboration with Microsoft. They emphasize that, for now, they’re still employed, but the horizon remains worryingly uncertain.

Project Blackbird was a Blade Runner-inspired, Destiny-like MMO in development for seven years, canceled this July as part of Xbox’s sweeping internal restructuring. The shakeup also led to the resignation of veteran studio head Matt Firor. While the game was never officially announced, ZOSU says in an official statement that its cancellation has “stolen the future” from the 222 developers on the project and from a community that will never see the fruits of their labor.

The Elder Scrolls Team Was Blindsided by the Ax

In its statement, ZOSU criticizes how the news reached them with no prior warning or clear information from Microsoft, creating a cloud of uncertainty among the staff. “On July 2, our lives changed direction without any prior communication from Microsoft management,” the statement reads, highlighting the union’s role in helping its members even when the company offered little support. Though MMO staff continue to receive pay and benefits for now, they admit layoffs could hit down the line.

The union, formed in December 2023, has been crucial for rallying a coordinated response in this crisis. As they explain, negotiations with Microsoft are already underway to secure dignified closure for anyone affected and to guarantee fair treatment for those who remain on The Elder Scrolls Online. They also underline their solidarity with unionized colleagues at other Microsoft studios, including the ZeniMax Workers United group.

Blackbird’s cancellation is only the latest in a wave of projects gutted by this year’s massive Xbox restructuring, which has seen more than 9,000 jobs cut and studios like The Initiative shuttered—along with the farewells to Perfect Dark and games like Everwild. In this climate, ZOSU stands as a rare force of organization and resistance in a notoriously uncertain industry, defending workers whose efforts have earned Microsoft billions.

Source: 3djuegos