Bethesda
Bethesda business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Xbox reportedly set to lay off hundreds more staff and "consolidate" several game studios in second round of major cuts this year
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly preparing for a second wave of significant layoffs, with hundreds of employees expected to be affected. The company is also rumored to be consolidating several of its game studios, including those under Bethesda, Activision, and Blizzard. This follows earlier cuts in July and a shift in focus towards established franchises.
Second wave of Xbox cuts reported to be happening this week, with "several" studios apparently facing consolidation
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly planning a second wave of layoffs this week, potentially affecting hundreds of employees and consolidating several studios. This follows a major restructuring in July and is part of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's plan to return the gaming division to profitability by focusing on major franchises. The news has reportedly lowered morale among staff.
Xbox reportedly set to announce second round of layoffs this week
Xbox is reportedly preparing for a second round of layoffs this week as part of an ongoing restructuring that includes consolidating several of its game studios. This follows an earlier round of 1,600 redundancies and the divestment of five studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited spreading resources too thin and fragmentation as reasons for the changes, aiming for future growth.
Activision’s Halo Title is a “Full-Feature, Mainline Installment” – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Activision is developing a "full-feature, mainline installment" for the Halo franchise, rather than a remake. This new title aims to be the "greatest Halo game ever" and may remain a console exclusive for Xbox.
Xbox to Undergo New Round of Layoffs Affecting “Several” Employees, Will Consolidate Studios – Rumor
Xbox is reportedly preparing for another round of significant layoffs, potentially affecting hundreds of employees across multiple studios, including Blizzard. This follows previous job cuts and a stated need to 'reset Xbox' due to weakening business margins. The company is also consolidating some of its studios, with Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, and Undead Labs being divested.
Halo Studios Eliminates 268 Roles, Activision Working on Next Halo Amid Xbox’s Reorganization
Xbox has confirmed significant layoffs and studio reorganizations, with 268 roles eliminated at Halo Studios. Activision is now developing the next Halo title with a new team, while Halo Studios will maintain a small support team. Other studios like World's Edge, Rare, Obsidian, Playground Games, Turn 10 Studios, and King have also been affected by the restructuring.
"It wasn't a planned thing": Breaking Benjamin singer on his mid-gig Fallout 4 mod promo being down to a broken drum and his love of VR
Breaking Benjamin singer Benjamin Burnley clarified that his mid-concert promotion of a Fallout 4 mod was an unplanned improvisation due to a broken drum, not a planned statement. He expressed his passion for virtual reality gaming and how mods significantly enhance experiences in titles like Fallout 4 and Skyrim.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered Nintendo Switch 2 patch has broken the game a bit, Bethesda acknowledges issues
A recent update for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered on Nintendo Switch 2 has introduced significant graphical issues, including blurriness, ghosting, and reduced visual quality, making the game unplayable for some. Bethesda has acknowledged the problems and is investigating a fix.
PlayStation Plus Essential Users Surprised With Free PS5 RPG
PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers will soon be able to claim the free PlayStation 5 upgrade for Fallout 76, despite initial ineligibility. Those who claimed the game during its January 2023 PS Plus monthly lineup will gain access to the upgrade on September 25th, which includes targeted 60 FPS, improved draw distances, shadows, and 4K resolution on compatible displays.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered 1.1 update out now on Nintendo Switch 2, patch notes
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has received its 1.1 update on Nintendo Switch 2, focusing on bug fixes and gameplay improvements. The patch addresses numerous crash issues, gameplay glitches such as player jittering in shallow water, and visual problems like missing animations.
Free PlayStation 5 Version of 2018 PS4, PS Plus RPG Out Now
A free native PlayStation 5 version of the 2018 RPG Fallout 76 is now available for existing owners and PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium subscribers. The upgrade offers targeted 60 FPS, improved draw distances and shadows, and 4K resolution on compatible displays.
XBOX @ Tokyo Game Show 2026: All the Announcements, Including an Appearance by Hideo Kojima
Xbox showcased a variety of upcoming titles and updates at Tokyo Game Show 2026, including new trailers for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Fallout 76, world premieres for Faraday Blues and Bloomwalker, and the reveal of Japan as a playable location in Crazy Taxi: World Tour. The event also featured Hideo Kojima making a surprise appearance to discuss his upcoming projects, OD – KNOCK and PHYSINT, with Bill Skarsgård confirmed to voice the lead in PHYSINT.
Xbox Game Pass is "extremely poorly managed" and Doom should never have been part of it, says former producer
Former id Software producer Andrew Willis describes Xbox Game Pass as "extremely poorly managed" with a lack of foresight and understanding of the consumer market. He argues that Doom should not have been included on the service, suggesting its inclusion negatively impacted sales and contributed to id Software's layoffs. Willis believes Microsoft struggles to define and measure the success of Game Pass, leading to flawed business decisions.
Laying off the people making The Elder Scrolls 6 while desperately trying to get The Elder Scrolls 6 finished "doesn't make any sense," says former Bethesda dev
Former Bethesda lore expert Kurt Kuhlmann criticizes Xbox owner Microsoft's decision to lay off veteran developers working on The Elder Scrolls 6, stating it makes no business sense. The layoffs, which impacted experienced creators rather than management, follow reports of pressure to speed up production for The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout.
Skyblivion's release is "getting closer" as the massive Skyrim mod's makers start recruiting for a big final marketing push
The massive Oblivion remake mod, Skyblivion, is nearing its release and its creators are actively recruiting for a marketing push. While a specific date is still unannounced, the team is seeking volunteers for trailer editing, gameplay capture, and developer interviews to build hype. The modders are also looking to avoid a shadow drop and are considering release windows around major titles like Grand Theft Auto 6.
Blizzard isn't "trying to do the Steam or Epic Games Store thing" by putting Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 Remastered on Battle.net, says exec
Blizzard Entertainment executive Andrew Guerrero stated that the company is not aiming to replicate Steam or the Epic Games Store with its Battle.net platform. While Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 Remastered are being added, the focus remains on curated, high-quality experiences that align with their core player base's interests.
Redfall co-director Harvey Smith thinks Arkane 'never should have been working on a games-as-a-service game'
Former Arkane Austin creative director Harvey Smith believes the studio should never have worked on Redfall, a games-as-a-service title. He reflects on the game's failure, the closure of Arkane Austin, and the team's efforts to salvage the game. Smith and other former Arkane developers are now focusing on creating immersive sims with their new company, Black Pony.
Xbox CEO Aims to Fix Company by Being Transparent
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is implementing a leadership style focused on transparency, which contrasts with her predecessor Phil Spencer. Sharma aims to improve communication about successes and failures across Xbox divisions, emphasizing 'Clarity is kindness.' This approach comes amidst significant layoffs and a strategic refocus on core business areas.
State of the Unions: the rise of unionisation in games workplaces
The video games industry is experiencing a significant rise in unionization as workers seek better labor rights and protections against harsh working conditions. Unions like SAG-AFTRA, ZeniMax workers, and various groups at major studios have successfully advocated for improved pay, AI protections, and remote work policies. Representatives from IWGB, Solidaires Informatique, and the Polish Gamedev Workers Union highlight global progress and ongoing challenges, emphasizing the growing power of collective bargaining.
IKEA's hilarious official Skyrim mod has reminded me just how great the Kallax truly is for gaming merch
IKEA has released a humorous official mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim called Kallax Storageborn, allowing players to have a white shelving unit as a companion. The mod is available for PC and Xbox versions of the game, with PlayStation support expected later. The article highlights the versatility of IKEA's Kallax furniture for displaying gaming merchandise.
