Former Elder Scrolls Online Team Forms Employee-Owned Studio, Sackbird Studios, After ZeniMax Layoffs
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Sackbird Studios, a new game development studio comprised of former ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS) employees, has officially launched as an employee-owned and self-funded entity. This move follows meaningful layoffs at ZeniMax in 2024, which included the cancellation of Project Blackbird, a highly anticipated MMO described as a blend of Cyberpunk 2077 and Destiny built by the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online.The studio aims to create “bold, character-driven experiences free from corporate compromises.”
From Project Blackbird Cancellation to New Beginnings
In early 2024, ZeniMax Media announced widespread layoffs impacting multiple studios, including ZOS. Among the casualties was project Blackbird, a promising MMO that had been in development for several years. https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/9/24861448/zenimax-bethesda-layoffs-project-blackbird-cancelation the cancellation and subsequent job losses spurred the team to take control of their creative future.
“When I learned that Blackbird was being cancelled and a lot of peopel were losing their jobs, it lit a fire,” said Sackbird CEO Lee Ridout in a statement. “We realized the best way to protect our craft-and our team-was to create a studio where creative independence isn’t negotiable.”
Employee Ownership and self-Funding
Sackbird Studios distinguishes itself thru its commitment to employee ownership and financial independence.The studio is entirely self-funded “for multiple years,” eliminating the need for external investors and allowing the team to maintain complete creative control over their projects.
“After years in AAA, we wanted the freedom to take smart risks without waiting for a greenlight or chasing quarterly targets,” explained David Worley, Sackbird Studios’ chief creative officer. “We’re fully employee-owned and funded, which means we only answer to people who are passionate about games.”
What We Know About sackbird’s First Project
Currently, Sackbird Studios consists of under ten employees. While the studio is not yet revealing details about its first game, they have confirmed it will be an original IP available on both PC and consoles. The team is focused on delivering experiences that prioritize character development and narrative depth, unburdened by typical corporate constraints. https://www.sackbirdstudios.com/news/studio-takes-flight
Key Takeaways
* Autonomous Studio: Sackbird Studios is a newly formed, employee-owned game development studio.
* Born from Layoffs: The studio was created in response to layoffs and the cancellation of Project Blackbird at ZeniMax Online Studios.
* Self-Funded: Sackbird is financially independent, allowing for full creative control.
* Focus on Original IP: The studio’s first project will be a new, original game for PC and consoles.
* Prioritizing Creative Freedom: Sackbird aims to deliver “bold, character-driven experiences free from corporate compromises.”
Sackbird studios represents a growing trend within the gaming industry: developers seeking greater autonomy and creative control. As the studio grows and begins to unveil its first project, it will be interesting to see how its commitment to employee ownership and independent funding shapes the future of its games and its place within the broader gaming landscape.