Summary
- Rare’s long-quiet project Everwild has been reportedly cancelled.
- ZeniMax Online’s unannounced MMO project, codenamed Blackbird, has also been scrapped.
- Both cancellations are tied to sweeping Xbox layoffs affecting nearly 9,000 staff.
Xbox reportedly cancels Rare’s Everwild and ZeniMax’s MMO project amid layoffs
As part of Microsoft’s ongoing restructuring, two major Xbox projects have reportedly been cancelled: Rare’s mysterious title Everwild and ZeniMax Online Studios’ unannounced MMORPG, previously known internally as Project Blackbird.
The news follows confirmation of widespread layoffs at Microsoft, with nearly 9,000 employees affected.
According to a report from Windows Central, Everwild—originally revealed in 2019—has been officially scrapped. The game, once considered a spiritual successor to Viva Piñata, had been in various stages of development for over a decade.
Despite a 2021 trailer and reassurances from Xbox earlier this year that the title was still in progress, the game has now been quietly shut down. No official reason has been provided yet, but speculation suggests the decision may have been driven by cost-cutting or development hurdles.
Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier backed up the cancellation report, and you can find his confirmation on BlueSky. This marks a disappointing end to what was once one of Rare’s most anticipated new IPs since Sea of Thieves.
ZeniMax’s Project Blackbird was also shelved
Also caught in the wave of Xbox cancellations is an MMO project from ZeniMax Online Studios, the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online.
The game, which had been in development since 2018, was known by its codename Blackbird—previously Kestrel. The fantasy MMO was expected to build upon ZeniMax’s experience with branching narrative and live-service content, taking cues from games like Mass Effect and Star Wars: The Old Republic.
With more than 200 developers attached to the project by 2022, Blackbird was seen as the studio’s future anchor as The Elder Scrolls Online matured. However, it now appears to have been quietly cancelled during this latest round of layoffs.
ZeniMax will reportedly continue to support The Elder Scrolls Online with new updates and expansions. There’s no word yet on what’s next for the team or how many developers remain after the restructuring.
Despite these cancellations, Microsoft still has several high-profile games in the pipeline, including Fable, Perfect Dark, Gears of War: E-Day, and a new Halo project. Perfect Dark remains unconfirmed for now.
