In a significant turn of events in the gaming industry, former ZeniMax Online Studios boss Matt Firor has confirmed that he resigned following the cancellation of Project Blackbird, a highly anticipated shooter that he had longed to create throughout his career. This decision came amid sweeping layoffs at Microsoft, which affected thousands of employees and led to the cancellation of multiple projects, including this sci-fi looter-shooter that had reportedly received positive feedback from internal reviews.

Microsoft has just announced a significant update for Xbox Game Pass Premium members, allowing them access to new Xbox-published games within a year of their release. This change, however, notably excludes the popular Call of Duty franchise, which will continue to launch on day one for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the Game Pass offering while also adjusting pricing structures across its tiers.