- In-game assets uploaded by a ZeniMax employee have surfaced, offering a first look at the canceled MMORPG, Blackbird.
- The in-game assets showcase different characters, weapons, and animations.
- An insider revealed that Microsoft shelved the project to focus on developing Fallout 5.
A massive restructuring at Microsoft happened recently that resulted in quite a few changes at its gaming division. Microsoft shut down many of its ambitious studios and axed a few projects, notably Project Blackbird under Zenimax Online.
The MMORPG was shaping up to be such a decent project, almost nearing completion since it was in a playable state. Still, we never received an official reveal for the game.
Thankfully, a Zenimax employee has uploaded animations, species, and other assets from the game to his portfolio, giving us a first look at the game.
Why it matters: It doesn’t make sense for Microsoft to cancel a project after putting 7 years and millions of dollars of investment. Blackbird could’ve been a great final product if Microsoft had fully followed through with it.
Most of the development assets focused on facial animations, weapon animations, and an exploration of five different species within the game (via MP1st). These species were W’Hurra, Wretzel, Skreev, Coyo, and Krona.
W’Hurra was a tall, furry species; Wretzel, an agile creature; Skreev, insect-like with wings; Coyo, a four-legged beast; and Krona, a bulkier centaur-like being.
There was also a wide range of weapons, ranging from pistols, SMGs, ARs, and even machine guns. Players would also have been able to customize their characters, with the latter part of the footage focusing on different built models.
Blackbird was set to be a futuristic entry with an alien-noir theme setting. TrueAchievements has also offered a glimpse at the game’s story, which took place on the distant planet Soteria. The same report also revealed the gameplay to be a blend of Destiny, Blade Runner, and Horizon Zero Dawn.
Recently, an insider shared his two cents on the project’s cancellation, stating it was shelved to divert resources towards Fallout 5, which has now been greenlit.
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[Staff Writer]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
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