Report: Zenimax Online Studios Hit By Second Major Wave of Layoffs in a Year
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Zenimax Online Studios has reportedly lost up to half of its staff in a second wave of layoffs, casting uncertainty over the future of The Elder Scrolls Online as Microsoft pivots toward core franchises.
Zenimax Online Studios has reportedly been struck by a second massive wave of layoffs in under a year, with internal sources speaking to Kotaku indicating that up to half of the team has been cut. The cuts arrive as Microsoft continues a broader strategic pivot toward legacy franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein, with affected employees receiving communications citing long-term growth as the motivation behind the downsizing.
The sweeping reduction has left the community and remaining staff questioning the future viability of The Elder Scrolls Online. Following the recent cancellation of the unannounced MMO Project Blackbird and the departure of the studio's founder, community manager Jessica Folsom addressed players on official forums. While the studio is pressing forward with the upcoming launch of Season One, which marks a transition away from traditional expansions into smaller seasonal updates, the roadmap beyond that initial drop remains in flux.
For players who treat Tamriel as a primary social hub and virtual home, this news strikes a heavy blow. Live service games rely on steady streams of content and dedicated development teams to maintain vibrant communities across PC and consoles. As corporate restructuring continues to shake up major publishers, the human cost behind our favorite digital spaces demands our attention, leaving the long-term health of one of gaming's biggest MMOs facing serious uncertainty. Read the full report over at Eurogamer.
Tags: The Elder Scrolls Online, Zenimax Online Studios, Microsoft, Layoffs, Industry News
Original article: Eurogamer