New directions are taking shape in the gaming industry as former ZeniMax Online Studios developers establish Sackbird Studios, following the cancellation of the MMO shooter Project Blackbird. Their move comes in the wake of significant restructuring at Microsoft, which impacted various projects and staff. The founding team, made up of veterans from Project Blackbird and The Elder Scrolls Online, aims to operate independently and prioritize creative control. As they step away from outside investments, Sackbird Studios sets its sights on making games fueled by intrinsic motivation rather than external deadlines or trends. The studio has not yet revealed its first title, but they have confirmed development is already underway for PC and console platforms, hinting at a distinct new approach compared to previous large-scale MMO efforts.
Last year, news about Microsoft’s project cuts, including Project Blackbird, surfaced alongside industry reports describing enjoyable early demos by company leadership, such as Phil Spencer. Earlier coverage often speculated that the project could be revived or find a new home, yet the formation of Sackbird Studios shows the developers have chosen to independently pursue their vision. Coverage at the time focused on layoffs and uncertainties about the future for those affected, while current developments indicate a shift from reliance on major publishers to employee-driven studios looking for stability and creative autonomy.
What Motivated the Sackbird Studios Team?
The decision to leave behind established AAA structures arose after several members lost their positions following the project’s cancellation. COO David Worley highlighted the team’s intent to take calculated risks and eliminate long waits for project greenlights.
“After years in AAA, we wanted the freedom to take smart risks without waiting for a greenlight or chasing quarterly targets,”
said Worley, underscoring their desire for self-determination. By being fully employee-owned and funded, their workflow and priorities are controlled solely by individuals invested in the craft of game development.
How Does Sackbird Studios Approach Game Development?
Sackbird Studios places strong emphasis on creative independence and sustainable working conditions. The company asserts that creative input from all team members will be central to shaping their projects. CEO Lee Ridout explained their approach by noting gratitude for previous experiences at ZeniMax, but also a clear motivation to ensure their team never again faces abrupt project terminations.
“We realized the best way to protect our craft—and our team—was to create a studio where creative independence isn’t negotiable,”
Ridout said.
What Does the Future Hold for Sackbird Studios?
The studio currently remains tight-lipped about the specifics of their debut project. They have stated that the upcoming title, now in active development, will be available on both PC and consoles. While Project Blackbird was initially described as a Destiny-style MMO shooter, the newly formed studio emphasizes that they are not obligated to pursue industry trends, suggesting their next game may diverge from large-scale online shooter formats. The focus appears to be on creating sustainable projects that allow for creativity and internal alignment, rather than mass-market mandates.
Independently run studios have become more prevalent in recent years as experienced developers seek autonomy from large publishers. Sackbird Studios’ journey highlights both the challenges and opportunities that emerge when talent restructures after cancellations and layoffs. Readers interested in following developer-owned studios should watch how Sackbird navigates its stated priorities: sustainable development, obviation of trend-chasing, and protection of creative vision. Practical takeaways include the importance of diversified funding and the stability that an employee-owned structure can bring, a model increasingly relevant in a volatile industry landscape.
