The founder of ZeniMax Online has confirmed his departure following Microsoft's decision to cancel Project Blackbird, a game he described as "the game I had waited my entire career to create"

After Microsoft's decision to terminate Project Blackbird, ZeniMax Online's founder, Matt Firor, has confirmed he departed from the company. He described the canceled project as "the game [he] had waited [his] entire career to create."

In the wake of Microsoft's comprehensive cost-cutting measures and layoffs, which included the closure of Zenimax Online Studios' MMO project in July, Firor left the company in the same month. He expressed confidence in the future of the studio and The Elder Scrolls Online, which are now led by new studio head Jo Burba, executive producer Susan Kath, and game director Rich Lambert.

Firor shared a reflective message on LinkedIn around the new year, thanking his colleagues for their support after leaving ZeniMax Online, a Maryland-based company. He acknowledged that the reasons for his departure were evident: Project Blackbird's cancellation prompted his resignation. "Many of my colleagues, who I have worked with for more than 20 years, are among the most dedicated and talented developers in the industry," he wrote.

Concerning his future plans, Firor mentioned that he has not fully decided on his next steps, though he remains active by unofficially advising some projects and startups and investing in small teams that he believes will be significant in shaping the industry's future. However, he has not yet considered starting a new development studio.

Furthermore, Firor clarified that while he advises some projects initiated by his former team, he is not directly involved with them. ZeniMax Online, established by Firor in 2007, operates from six locations across the United States and is owned by ZeniMax Media, which is a subsidiary of Microsoft.