Sackbird Studios Takes Flight

Written By Doug Carroll

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Sackbird Studios Takes flight: An Employee-Owned, Self-Funded Game Studio Founded by Veteran Developers of Elder Scrolls Online and the Canceled Project Blackbird 

Baltimore, MD - October 8, 2025

Today, a group of veteran developers behind Elder Scrolls Online and the canceled Project Blackbird (as reported by Bloomberg) announced the formation of Sackbird Studios, an independent, employee-owned game studio that is self-funded for multiple years. With no outside investors and full creative control, the team is focused on building great games—on their own terms. 

“After years in AAA, we wanted the freedom to take smart risks without waiting for a greenlight or chasing quarterly targets,” said David Worley, COO at Sackbird Studios. “We’re fully employee-owned and funded, which means we only answer to people who are passionate about games.” 

The founding team—former leads and key contributors on Elder Scrolls Online and core developers from the ambitious but ultimately canceled Project Blackbird—describe the new studio as a developer-first environment with a long runway and a tight, senior team (currently under ten people). The cancellation of Project Blackbird, while disappointing, inspired the founders to build a studio designed to avoid many of the pitfalls they’ve experienced across the industry. 

“We’re grateful for our time at ZeniMax Online Studios; it shaped us as developers and as people,” said Lee Ridout, CEO at Sackbird Studios. “When I learned that Blackbird was being cancelled and a lot of people were losing their jobs, it lit a fire. We realized the best way to protect our craft—and our team—was to create a studio where creative independence isn’t negotiable.” 

While Sackbird Studios is not announcing its first title today, the team is confirming active development on an original project for PC and consoles. The studio will share more when the game is ready. 

What makes Sackbird Studios different 

  • Employee-owned, self-funded: Multi-year runway. 

  • Small, senior team: Fewer than ten developers at founding; built for focus and quality. 

  • Creative control: No mandate to chase trends; decisions driven by craft and player experience. 

  • Sustainable development: Process designed to respect people and protect the work. 

 

About Sackbird Studios 

Founded in September 2025, Sackbird Studios is an independent, employee-owned game studio formed by veteran developers behind Elder Scrolls Online and the canceled Project Blackbird. With internal funding and full creative control, the studio is focused on crafting bold, character-driven experiences free from corporate compromises.

Learn more at sackbirdstudios.com and follow along on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/sackbirdstudios.

Media Contact: 

Doug Carroll, Chief Creative Officer 
press@sackbird.com | https://www.sackbirdstudios.com

Doug Carroll