A group of former ZeniMax Online developers have announced the creation of Sackbird Studios.
independent, self-funded, employee-owned studio consists of fewer than ten people who worked on Elder Scrolls Online, as well as the long-in-development MMO codenamed Project Blackbird.
While Sackbird Studios has yet to announce its first game, it has confirmed that it is in “active development” on an “original project” for PC and consoles.
“We are grateful for our time at ZeniMax Online Studios; it has shaped us as developers and people,” said CEO Lee Ridout. “When I found out that Blackbird was closing and a lot of people were losing their jobs, it started a fire.
“We realized that the best way to protect our craft – and our team – was to create a studio where creative independence was non-negotiable.”
Chief Operating Officer David Worley added: “After many years at AAA, we wanted the freedom to take smart risks without waiting for the green light or chasing quarterly targets.
“We are 100% employee owned and funded, which means we only respond to people who are passionate about gaming.”
Earlier this year Microsoft conducted mass layoffs in its gaming divisionaffecting more than 9,000 employees.
This included developers ZeniMax Online Studios, as well as the closure of The Initiative and the cancellation of the Perfect Dark reboot. Rare's Everwild was also cancelled, and half of Forza Motorsport's Turn 10 was cut.
