Recent reports suggest that the anticipated release of Fallout 5 has led to the cancellation of ZeniMax Online Studios’ latest MMORPG, known as Project Blackbird. This claim has been reiterated by Jez Corden, a reputable Microsoft insider with a history of providing accurate information regarding the company. In a podcast episode from mid-July 2025, Corden revealed that Bethesda had received the green light for Fallout 5, which seemingly influenced ZeniMax’s decision to halt development on Blackbird.
Corden returned to this topic just a few days later during another podcast episode, reinforcing his initial claims regarding Fallout 5’s approval and Blackbird’s cancellation. He initially framed his comments as speculation but later indicated that he had gained confirmation following an all-hands meeting at Microsoft. During this meeting, an inquiry was made addressing the reasons for Blackbird’s cancellation, with leadership indicating that strategic focus was shifting towards different projects.
Although Fallout 5 was not explicitly identified as the cause, the timing suggested its role was significant. Additionally, the decision to cancel an untested MMORPG like Blackbird seems relatively understandable, given the current market dynamics and the rising popularity of the Fallout franchise, especially after the success of Amazon’s television adaptation. It is rumored that multiple Fallout games are currently in development, including a potential remaster of Fallout 3, likely handled by an external team.
Despite the excitement surrounding Fallout 5, it is anticipated that this title will not be released anytime soon. Bethesda is currently concentrating its efforts on The Elder Scrolls 6, which entered production around the time Starfield was finalized in 2023. With the extended development cycles typical for AAA titles, Fallout 5 may not arrive until well after 2033.