ZeniMax Online Hit Hard by Latest Xbox Layoffs as Leadership Departs
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Xbox restructuring hits ZeniMax Online Studios with over 200 layoffs and major leadership departures, raising questions about the future of The Elder Scrolls Online and Bethesda projects.
Xbox continues its massive corporate restructuring with a fresh wave of cuts hitting ZeniMax Online Studios hard. Originally reported by Game File and covered by Polygon, over 200 jobs have been eliminated at the studio behind The Elder Scrolls Online. The departures include multiple senior leadership roles, such as the studio head, operations, game and audio directors, art management, and the vice president position. Major figures stepping away include studio head Joe Burba, executive producer Susan Kath, game director Rich Lambert, and production director Ala Diaz.
Leadership is transitioning to internal promotions, with Josh Henderson and Nick Giacomini stepping in to co-run the studio moving forward. For the player community, the immediate concern is what this means for the future of one of the industry's most enduring MMOs. ZeniMax Online has seen its workforce shrink significantly over the past two years, raising questions about development velocity. However, community managers have reassured players that upcoming content roadmaps remain active for the rest of the year, and historical precedent shows long-running MMOs often weather major administrative shifts.
Beyond The Elder Scrolls Online, the broader ZeniMax Media publisher ecosystem supporting Bethesda Game Studios has also absorbed substantial cuts. As Xbox reshapes its internal structure and shifts publishing priorities, players across PC and console are left watching closely to see how these organizational changes impact current live service roadmaps and future single player titles alike.
Tags: Xbox, The Elder Scrolls Online, ZeniMax Online Studios, Bethesda, Gaming Industry News
Original article: Polygon