A new report from Microsoft insider Jez Corden suggests that Fallout 5 has officially been greenlit by Bethesda, and that this move has directly led to the cancellation of Project Blackbird, an unannounced MMORPG in development at ZeniMax Online Studios.
Fallout 5’s Greenlight Comes With a Cost
The rumor first surfaced during a July 2025 episode of the Xbox Two Podcast, where Jez Corden — known for reliable Microsoft scoops — claimed that Fallout 5 had been “fully greenlit”. He cited unnamed sources familiar with the situation, stating that the decision came from a recent “all-hands meeting” within Microsoft.
Corden also alleged that this development had major consequences: the complete shutdown of Project Blackbird, a mysterious MMO ZeniMax had been working on behind the scenes.
“Fallout 5 is fully greenlit now, and I was told that part of the reason ZeniMax canceled Project Blackbird was to support development on Fallout 5,” Corden explained.
A Double Down on Fallout 5’s Priority
Just four days later, during the July 18 episode of the Xbox Two Podcast, Corden doubled down on his original report. While he initially characterized the story as a rumor, he now believes the information to be verified, thanks to internal confirmations — reportedly from Microsoft’s corporate leadership.
According to Corden, Fallout 5 is now a top priority for both Bethesda Game Studios and the broader Xbox Game Studios network, a shift that necessitated reallocating resources and talent from ZeniMax Online’s multiplayer teams.
What Was Project Blackbird?
Although never officially announced, Project Blackbird was believed to be a sci-fi MMORPG from ZeniMax Online Studios — best known for its work on The Elder Scrolls Online. Industry insiders speculated it would be a major original IP, possibly intended as a competitor to titles like Destiny or Starfield’s online ambitions.
The project had reportedly been in development for several years, but now appears to have been shelved in favor of ensuring Fallout 5 gets the full production pipeline it needs.
Fallout 5: Bethesda’s Next Big Bet?
With The Elder Scrolls VI still deep in production and unlikely to release before the late 2020s, Fallout 5’s acceleration may be an attempt to stabilize Bethesda’s next-gen roadmap. Fallout remains one of the studio’s most iconic and lucrative IPs, and following the rocky reception of Fallout 76, a return to single-player roots could reinvigorate fan enthusiasm.
Fallout 5 being greenlit now suggests that early concept work and pre-production are in full swing. However, given the size and scope of modern Bethesda titles, a release is likely still several years away — possibly targeting late this decade.
While Bethesda and Microsoft have yet to publicly confirm any of these reports, Jez Corden’s track record lends credibility to the claims. If Fallout 5’s greenlight has indeed come at the cost of Project Blackbird, it signals a clear shift in strategic focus toward trusted IPs over riskier new ventures — at least for the time being.
As always, fans should take early development rumors with a grain of salt — but it seems the Wasteland is officially back on the map.
For more Fallout 5 updates, Xbox leaks, and Bethesda news, stay tuned.