From Dreams to Departure: Matt Firor Reveals the Truth Behind His Exit from ZeniMax Online

Matt Firor, the former head of ZeniMax Online Studios, has publicly shared the reasons behind his departure from the company for the first time. He confirmed that his exit was a direct result of the cancellation of Project Blackbird, an online shooter that the team had been developing for several years.

Firor’s resignation became known last summer amidst significant layoffs at Microsoft, which resulted in thousands of job losses and the cancellation of several projects, including an unannounced game from ZeniMax Online. According to Bloomberg, Project Blackbird was designed as a third-person MMO set in a science fiction universe and received favorable evaluations during internal testing.

Firor has now indicated that this decision marked a turning point for him. In a post on LinkedIn, he stated that “the most obvious explanation is indeed the correct one.” He expressed that Project Blackbird was a project he had aspired to create throughout his career, and its cancellation played a crucial role in his decision to leave.

The former executive also extended his support to the team affected by the project’s cancellation. He noted that many of those developers had worked alongside him for over 20 years and commended them as some of the most dedicated and talented individuals in the industry.

Firor expressed gratitude to the team and community of The Elder Scrolls Online. He revealed that he now experiences the project from the perspective of an average player, without a leadership role, which he finds particularly enjoyable. According to him, the community surrounding TESO remains one of the friendliest in online gaming.

As for his future plans, Firor has yet to make a definitive decision. He is currently informally advising various projects and startups, as well as investing in select initiatives. In conclusion, he conveyed support for his industry colleagues, acknowledging the challenging times but expressing optimism for improvement.

As 2025 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reconnect and share how things are going. I am incredibly thankful to everyone who reached out with words of encouragement and gratitude after my departure from ZeniMax Online in July. It’s hard to put into words how appreciative I am for the wave of support I received from friends and colleagues in the gaming industry.

To immediately address the most frequently asked question, I am not directly involved in any projects launched by former ZOS employees. Occasionally, I provide informal advice to some of these teams, but I am not leading them. They are in capable hands with their leaders, and I am eager to see what they achieve.

Now to the second most popular question regarding my departure from ZOS. The most straightforward explanation is the correct one. Project Blackbird was a game I was looking forward to creating throughout my career, and its cancellation influenced my decision to leave. My thoughts and support are always with those team members affected by this decision. I had collaborated with many of them for over 20 years, and they are all incredibly devoted and talented developers, some of the best in the industry.

I cannot fully express my respect and gratitude to both the The Elder Scrolls Online development team and the players who together have built one of the friendliest and warmest communities in online gaming. I have successfully transitioned from the first group to the second and now enjoy playing as an ordinary, anonymous community member. This fresh perspective brings real joy. May both sides continue to thrive for many years to come.

What will I do next? Honestly, I’m not quite sure yet. I haven’t completely stepped back: I am currently informally advising certain projects and startups, and I have also invested in several smaller teams that I believe will play a significant role in the future of the industry. However, I have not seriously considered starting a new studio at this time.

Once again, thank you all for the kind words and support from those who have stayed in touch. I’m sure we’ll cross paths again at industry conferences and other events. Hang in there! Times are tough now, but they will get better.

It’s time to turn the page on 2025. I wish everyone a safe, joyful, and successful 2026!