Former Project Blackbird director has shared details on the circumstances surrounding his departure from Zenimax Online Studios after the cancellation of the Sci-Fi MMORPG.
During an interview with MinnMax, Matt Firor, former studio head and director of the canceled sci-fi MMORPG, Project Blackbird, talked about the circumstances that led to his departure from ZeniMax Online Studios and the potential future of his career. “Number one question, no, I’m not starting a new studio,” he clarified. “Number two question, the reason why I left is the obvious one, right?” That “obvious” reason, as he later confirmed, was the game’s cancellation. While he didn’t completely rule out founding another studio, he highlighted the toll such ventures take, noting he had already spent decades building companies from startup to acquisition.
Instead of jumping into a new large-scale commitment, Firor has shifted toward consulting, assisting smaller studios, some of which emerged from the remains of the canceled project. He noted that several of these development teams are doing well independently, requiring little guidance.
Firor described Project Blackbird as a passion project he he had conceptualized and nurtured over years. When asked if he had made his stance clear internally, he said, “Oh, yeah. 100%. I was like… if this is canceled, I’m walking out the door.”
That said, while he disagreed with the game’s cancellation, he acknowledged the financial logic behind it, describing the project as “a number on a ledger” that ultimately became too large a risk in an increasingly cautious industry.
Firor termed the industry as inherently “heartbreaking,” where even promising projects can be cut despite positive momentum. In Project Blackbird’s case, he suggested the game was not only functional but genuinely enjoyable, with a distinct identity that set it apart. “The world probably would have been a better place with that game in it as far as I’m concerned, but there you go,” he said.
Leaked footage from Project Blackbird can be seen here.
