ZeniMax’s cancelled MMORPG, reportedly developed under the working title Project Blackbird, would have been “pretty spectacular”, according to Eric Whelpley, the studio’s former principal service engineer. Microsoft shut down development on the project two months ago, but Whelpley recently shared his disappointment over the loss of what could have been a groundbreaking online experience.
Project Blackbird’s Sudden End
The cancellation came as part of Microsoft’s sweeping layoffs in early July 2025, which cut about 9,000 employees across the company. ZeniMax was among the hardest-hit studios, with several projects quietly scrapped during internal restructuring.
Though the public never saw gameplay before its termination, Whelpley confirmed the MMO’s existence in a LinkedIn post, calling it “all around pretty spectacular” with impressive technology, art, movement, story, and sound design. He added that he personally played the game daily before Microsoft cancelled it.
Fallout 5 Rumors Spark Speculation
Reports suggest that resources from Project Blackbird may have been redirected toward the long-awaited Fallout 5. According to insider Jez Corden, the cancellation aligned with Microsoft’s broader strategic shifts, although Fallout wasn’t explicitly mentioned in official statements. The timing has led many to speculate that ZeniMax’s MMO was sacrificed to prioritize development of the next Fallout entry, nearly a decade since the release of Fallout 4.
A Tough Loss for ZeniMax Developers
For Whelpley, the shutdown hit especially hard. He had worked at ZeniMax for seven years, including on Redfall, which itself was shuttered in 2024 after poor reception and the closure of Arkane Austin. While Redfall struggled, ZeniMax has a proven record in MMORPGs with The Elder Scrolls Online, making Project Blackbird’s cancellation an even bigger disappointment for both developers and fans of the genre.
The Legacy of Cancelled Games
Cancelled projects are nothing new in the industry, but revelations like Whelpley’s highlight the human cost of corporate restructuring and the “what ifs” of gaming history. For now, Project Blackbird joins the list of ambitious titles that never saw release, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.