When the Ledger Wins: Microsoft Axes Project Blackbird
Kotaku reports that Matt Firor detailed why Microsoft canceled Project Blackbird, a planned online loot shooter from ZeniMax Online Studios, during cost-cutting after the Activision Blizzard acquisition. He says the decision was financial and driven by the need for forecastable profits, not personal animosity, noting a large upfront engine investment would have made live-service updates easier but far from a guaranteed return. Firor resigned after the cancelation, describing it as devastating but acknowledging the business realities. He also said the project was “a hell of a lot of fun” and that the world concept would have improved the gaming landscape had it released.
