ZeniMax Union: Microsoft Pulled the Plug on New MMO, But They're Fighting for Devs' Dignity
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Microsoft canned ZeniMax's unannounced MMO, leading to potential layoffs, but the studio's union is fighting to ensure devs are treated fairly during the process. Matt Firor is also leaving the company.
Right, so Microsoft's been swinging the layoff axe again, and this time ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS) felt the sting. According to Eurogamer, the big news is that Microsoft binned an unannounced MMO codenamed "Blackbird", leaving 222 developers in limbo. Ouch.
Now, the ZeniMax Online Studios United-CWA (ZOSU-CWA) – that's the union that formed late last year – has stepped up to the plate. They've released a statement, and while it's not exactly sunshine and rainbows, there's a glimmer of hope in there.
Apparently, the 22 union-represented devs who were knee-deep in "Blackbird" are still employed *for now*. But – and this is a big but – the union and Microsoft are currently locked in negotiations. The aim? To ensure that if, *when*, those layoffs do happen, the affected devs "depart with dignity." Which, let's be honest, is the bare minimum after having a project yanked out from under you.
Here's the full statement the union released:
"Earlier this month, Microsoft indefinitely shelved an unannounced MMORPG at ZeniMax Online Studios, a shock to the 222 ZOSU-CWA developers working on the project. It has been heartening and validating to see our game mentioned in the press and by players that would have loved to see the results of our work.
Undoubtedly, a future has been stolen from many of us and our community will never experience an amazing game. However, despite discussions regarding the status of our employment, the fact is: we have not yet been laid off.
While we understand that for most of us something like a layoff is inevitable, last December both the teams behind The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) and the unannounced project voted overwhelmingly to form a union and establish ZeniMax Online Studios United-CWA (ZOSU-CWA). Worker-volunteers elected to represent the interests of our union are currently bargaining with Microsoft for the benefit of our impacted teammates.
While Microsoft and ZOSU-CWA bargain over how we move forward following the project closure, the developers behind the unannounced project remain employees of ZeniMax Online Studios with full pay and benefits.
On July 2nd, our lives were upended without prior notice or communication from Microsoft leadership and without clear understanding about the status of our employment. In light of this, our union came together with urgency, gathering and distributing information and resources to our affected members.
Where Microsoft has failed to support the talented craftspeople who have generated billions in revenue, our union has stepped up to provide clarity and support.
It is true that a layoff may be in the future for some of our members. However, as a result of our organising, we are able to ensure that those impacted will be able to depart with dignity.
More importantly, the work of ZOSU-CWA will continue so that our remaining teammates - the stalwart developers of ESO - can follow in the footsteps of our colleagues across other departments and studios at Microsoft, including our union siblings at ZeniMax Workers United (ZWU-CWA). We look forward to other units who will soon ratify fair contracts that will guarantee the rights we all deserve."
It's a bit of a bloody mess, isn't it? Microsoft, despite raking in mountains of cash, seems to be struggling to manage its sprawling gaming empire. Cancelling projects sucks, but treating developers with respect should be a no-brainer. Here's hoping the ZOSU-CWA can get a fair deal for their members. And maybe, just maybe, this'll be a wake-up call for the industry about the importance of worker rights.
Oh, and apparently, ZeniMax Online Studios head Matt Firor is also leaving the company in the wake of all this. A fair dinkum double whammy, wouldn't you say?
Tags: ZeniMax Online Studios, Microsoft, Layoffs, MMO, Union
Original article: Eurogamer