An unannounced MMO, codenamed Blackbird, which had been in development for seven years by ZeniMax Online, has been canceled as part of Microsoft’s restructuring, which has affected more than 9,000 workers, approximately 4% of the company’s total workforce. This project, which promised an experience similar to titles like Destiny, was shut down indefinitely, surprising the 222 members of the ZeniMax Online Studios United (ZOSU-CWA) team who had been working on it.
A union that has allowed workers to move forward
The cancellation has led to a significant change in the company’s structure, including the resignation of the studio director, Matt Firor. Despite the uncertainty, members of ZOSU-CWA have confirmed that, for the time being, they remain employees of ZeniMax Online with salary and benefits, although they admit that layoffs could be inevitable in the future for some of them.
In its statement, ZOSU-CWA criticized Microsoft for not providing the necessary support to its employees, emphasizing that the union has become a vital resource for its members in these difficult times. The union has focused on negotiating with Microsoft to secure better conditions and try to protect the interests of the developers affected by the cancellation of Blackbird.
This episode occurs in a broader context of cuts at Microsoft, which has led to the closure of flagship projects such as the reboot of Perfect Dark and Rare’s action-adventure Everwild, as well as workforce reductions in other internal studios. ZOSU-CWA expressed its commitment to continue fighting for the rights of its members and to establish a safer future for the developers of Elder Scrolls Online and other teams within the company.
