Bethesda
Bethesda business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Are you excited for a new Fallout game from Obsidian? You know, given everything
Reports suggest Microsoft has tasked Obsidian Entertainment's Josh Sawyer, director of Fallout: New Vegas, with leading a new Fallout RPG. This development comes amidst significant layoffs at Xbox and Obsidian, which reportedly led to the cancellation of an Avowed sequel. The situation remains fluid, but the prospect of a new Obsidian-developed Fallout game has generated mixed reactions due to the circumstances surrounding its potential creation.
Games Inbox: Is The Elder Scrolls 6 going to be worth the wait?
Readers express concerns about the lengthy development of The Elder Scrolls 6, criticizing Bethesda's recent game output and treatment of developers. The discussion also touches upon the shift to digital-only distribution, the impact of layoffs at Microsoft and Bethesda, and the future of subscription services like Game Pass.
New Fallout in the Works at Obsidian, Avowed 2 Cancelled – Rumor
According to reports, Obsidian Entertainment is developing a new Fallout title, potentially directed by Josh Sawyer, who previously worked on Fallout: New Vegas. This comes as Avowed 2 and other unannounced projects have reportedly been cancelled following an internal reset at Xbox. While Avowed 2 may continue development temporarily, the studio is shifting focus to the new Fallout game.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Team Worried About Delays and Crunch Following Layoffs – Rumor
Recent layoffs at Bethesda, impacting key personnel working on The Elder Scrolls 6, have reportedly caused concern among the development team regarding potential delays and increased crunch. The departures include programmers, artists, and designers, with fears that contract labor may be used to fill the gaps. The Elder Scrolls 6, announced in 2018, currently has no release date, but is estimated to be at least two years away.
Xbox just laid off a core Bethesda artist who worked on Skyrim, Oblivion, Morrowind, Fallout 3, and Fallout 4 –…
Microsoft's recent wave of layoffs has impacted Bethesda, with lead character artist Christiane Meister, a 27-year veteran who worked on major titles like Skyrim, Oblivion, Morrowind, Fallout 3, and Fallout 4, being let go. This move highlights significant cuts within Microsoft's gaming division, affecting core talent behind beloved franchises.
Bethesda union says company HR forced staff to remove a display honoring their laid-off colleagues
The Bethesda Game Studios Union reported that HR forced employees to remove a display honoring colleagues who were laid off during recent Xbox job cuts. The union stated that common areas are typically used for various displays, but HR deemed the memorial inappropriate. This incident occurred amidst significant layoffs across Microsoft's gaming division, impacting numerous long-term employees.
New Fallout Game Is New Focus For New Vegas Developer Obsidian Entertainment – Report
Obsidian Entertainment is reportedly shifting its focus to a new Fallout game, potentially shelving a planned sequel to Avowed and other unannounced projects. Studio design director Josh Sawyer, who previously directed Fallout: New Vegas, is expected to lead the new project. This news comes as Obsidian recently experienced significant layoffs due to Microsoft's restructuring of its Xbox division.
Fallout and Elder Scrolls union says Bethesda layoffs didn't hurt Microsoft's "14 layers of management" – "We lost dozens of programmers, artists, designers and testers"
Microsoft's recent layoffs significantly impacted Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax Online, Obsidian Entertainment, and id Software, affecting dozens of programmers, artists, designers, and testers, not just management. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed outrage, calling the cuts a "stressful annual routine" and urging fans to voice concerns through Microsoft's feedback portal to prevent future layoffs and studio closures.
Fallout TV Series Lands 10 Emmy Nominations For Season 2, But Actors Get Snubbed
Amazon's Fallout TV series has received 10 Emmy nominations for its second season, focusing on technical and performance categories like Production Design and Stunt Performance, though no acting nominations were given. This follows Season 1's 16 nominations and two wins. Meanwhile, news emerged of Obsidian Entertainment collaborating with Bethesda Game Studios on a new Fallout game, amidst recent layoffs at Xbox-owned studios.
17 years later, Minecraft is finally adding somewhere to sit
Minecraft is introducing craftable cushions and new straw beds in its latest preview build, allowing players new ways to rest. These additions come as Mojang, an Xbox-owned studio, is impacted by significant layoffs affecting numerous gaming companies.
Xbox's Bethesda layoffs include the artist responsible for designing Skyrim's khajiit and argonians, who had…
Christiane Meister, a senior character artist with 27 years at Bethesda who was instrumental in designing the Khajiit and Argonians for The Elder Scrolls series, has been laid off as part of Xbox's recent cuts. Meister's work spanned from Morrowind to Skyrim, and she was responsible for the creation and management of character art assets. Her departure highlights concerns about the industry's trend of layoffs despite significant revenue.
Rather than rip and tear id Software apart, Xbox should have put the FPS pioneers on Gears of War
Following significant layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, including a reported 50% staff reduction at id Software, the article argues that Xbox should leverage id Software's expertise for the Gears of War franchise. It suggests that id's talent for creating visceral first-person shooter experiences would be a better fit for Gears of War than continuing with their own struggling franchises like Quake Champions or Rage 2.
Doom's new Chain Spear weapon seems to be dividing The Dark Ages' audience - "I'm like an hour in and I can't wait to get the shield back"
Players are divided on the new Chain Spear weapon in Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations, with some finding it too complex and others struggling with its controls. Despite this, the expansion is generally well-received, with many praising its resemblance to a full sequel and its tribute to the Doom series' history. The game's director, Hugo Martin, acknowledged that the weapon may take time to master.
MMO Business Roundup: Microsoft is why we can’t have nice things
Microsoft's recent wave of layoffs has significantly impacted its gaming divisions, including studios like Id Software, Bethesda Game Studios, and ZeniMax Online Studios, leading to concerns about the quality and release schedules of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls Online. The article highlights the negative consequences of these business decisions on employees, game development, and player experience, drawing criticism from industry figures and politicians alike.
"A mentor and an inspiration to many": Skywind devs pay tribute to modder Kettlewitch, whose death has left another Skyrim mod's future up in the air
The development teams behind the Skyrim modding projects Skywind and Thras: The Coral Kingdom are paying tribute to modder Kettlewitch, also known as David Purcell, who passed away on June 15th after a battle with lung cancer. Kettlewitch was a significant contributor to Skywind and led the development of Thras, whose future is now uncertain. His work also extended to the Oblivion remake mod, Skyblivion.
"Workers deserve protection, not to be treated like disposable line items" – Hundreds of union members affected by Xbox layoffs
Hundreds of union members from the Communication Workers of America were impacted by recent layoffs at Xbox, which saw 3,200 positions eliminated and five studios divested. The CWA is pursuing legal and contractual actions to protect affected workers, including bargaining for severance and recall rights. Union leaders criticized Microsoft's treatment of employees and expressed disappointment with slow progress on contract negotiations, while Xbox leadership cited strategic overextension as a reason for the cuts.
Acclaimed PS5 Shooter Gets Expansion Today on PlayStation Store
The story expansion Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations is now available for PlayStation 5 players on the PlayStation Store for $19.99. Developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, this DLC adds new levels, demons, and the Chain Spear weapon to the acclaimed first-person shooter. It is also included in the Premium Edition upgrade.
'Used, abused, and discarded:' CWA Canada slams Microsoft over handling of Bethesda layoffs
CWA Canada has criticized Microsoft and Bethesda Game Studios over recent layoffs affecting unionized employees at Bethesda Game Studios Montreal. Union president Carmel Smyth stated that around a dozen employees, some with up to a decade of service, were informed of their termination via a brief video call. The union plans to pursue bargaining for severance, internal placement, and recall rights for affected workers.
The Elder Scrolls 6 will be lucky to be out by 2028 says insider
An insider claims that The Elder Scrolls 6, announced in 2018, is still at least two to three years away and may not launch until 2028 or later, partly due to recent Xbox layoffs impacting Bethesda Game Studios. This potential 10-year development cycle from announcement to release highlights management issues and a significant gap since the last main installment, Skyrim.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Bethesda has removed Denuvo from Doom: The Dark Ages. Additionally, Subnautica 2 will receive an update allowing players to 'stun' fish instead of killing them. The article also briefly mentions new developments in Minecraft.