Microsoft’s massive layoffs across its divisions have left thousands of employees without jobs, including those at Xbox Game Studios. The company has cancelled several high-profile games, including “Blackbird”, a third-person looter-shooter set in a sci-fi noir world.
According to Bloomberg, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer was heavily invested in “Blackbird” and had praised it as a “must-play” title during an internal meeting. However, the game’s cancellation has left many employees feeling uncertain about their own futures at Xbox.
Details on “Blackbird” suggest that it featured vertical movement mechanics, air-dashing, grappling hooks, and wall-climbing. Despite its promising concept, the game has been cancelled, leaving fans wondering if they will ever see it released.
The layoffs have also affected external partners, including Romero Games, which was forced to shut down after losing funding for its next project. The news highlights the uncertain future of Xbox Game Studios amidst Microsoft’s restructuring efforts.
Source: https://kotaku.com/xbox-layoffs-zenimax-online-blackbird-elder-scrolls-1851785629