The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Online business and news from across the web.
The Elder Scrolls Online's developer deserved better than to get sucker-punched by Microsoft twice in two yearsMicrosoft's recent layoffs at ZeniMax Online Studios, impacting an estimated 60% of the workforce, are criticized as cruel and short-sighted. Despite The Elder Scrolls Online's profitability and a recent positive shift in player sentiment and development strategy, the studio has faced significant workforce reductions, including the cancellation of the long-in-development Project Blackbird. This analysis argues that these cuts jeopardize the future of the MMO and the Elder Scrolls franchise's presence in the gaming landscape.- Elder Scrolls Online devs say the team is now the size it was in the 2015-2018 eraFollowing recent layoffs, ZeniMax Online Studios staff have indicated that the development team for The Elder Scrolls Online is now comparable in size to its teams during the development of the acclaimed Wrothgar and Summerset expansions. This suggests a continued path for new content rather than a shift to maintenance mode, despite the difficult circumstances for those impacted.
'Surprised there was anyone left to post this': Fans react as The Elder Scrolls Online debuts seasonal content days after hundreds laid off from studioZeniMax Online Studios has launched its first-ever seasonal content, 'Return of the Thieves Guild,' for The Elder Scrolls Online. This launch occurs just days after the studio reportedly laid off 213 employees, more than half of its development team, as part of wider layoffs at Xbox. Player reactions on social media and forums have largely focused on expressing sympathy for the affected developers and criticizing Microsoft's timing and actions, rather than discussing the new content itself.
Summary: what's happening at Xbox?Xbox announced a major restructuring involving 3,200 job cuts, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, primarily affecting ZeniMax studios like Bethesda and id Software. Several studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, are being sold off or spun out as independent entities. This move aims to refocus on high-earning franchises and improve profit margins, impacting the development of upcoming titles like The Elder Scrolls 6 and potentially State of Decay 3.- Perfect Ten: 10 ways that Elder Scrolls Online quietly got good in 2026Despite a shift away from its traditional expansion model and subsequent team reductions by Microsoft, The Elder Scrolls Online has seen significant improvements in 2026. Updates 49 and 50 introduced more base game content, a challenge difficulty system, class and weapon skill line reworks, subclassing options, and new event zones like the Night Market and Vengeance PvP campaign.
- Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re MakingXbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
- The Daily Grind: What’s the most neglected MMO on your hard drive?This article discusses the phenomenon of keeping MMORPGs installed on a hard drive even when not actively playing them, often due to a sense of loyalty or the hope of returning. The author highlights The Elder Scrolls Online and Ultima Online as examples of games they personally keep but rarely play, posing the question to readers about their own neglected MMOs.
Bethesda union staff to march outside studios over Xbox layoffs: 'The company wants us to accept this as a done…Bethesda developers, organized as the OneBGS union, are planning a protest march across studios on July 15th to oppose recent layoffs by Xbox. The union criticizes these layoffs as a recurring issue and aims to show management the adverse impact on remaining staff and studio talent, citing significant staff reductions at Zenimax Online Studios and id Software, and the closure of studios responsible for games like Hi-Fi Rush and Prey.
Elder Scrolls 6 faces delays as Microsoft lays off people that were making itBethesda Game Studios employees are concerned that The Elder Scrolls 6 may face significant delays following recent layoffs impacting over 50 staff members, including a 27-year veteran. These cuts, part of broader Xbox layoffs, have raised fears about project timelines, potential reliance on contract labor, and a decline in studio morale, especially after the reception of Starfield.- Elder Scrolls Online’s former CM: ‘I wouldn’t trade the past 18 years for anything’Former Elder Scrolls Online community manager Gina Bruno expressed gratitude for her 18 years with the game following recent layoffs. She shared messages from players highlighting the game's positive impact on their lives and friendships. The article also touches on community reactions to the layoffs and misunderstandings regarding Microsoft's financial decisions.
- Season One: Return of the Thieves Guild is Now Live in The Elder Scrolls OnlineSeason One: Return of the Thieves Guild, a new content update for The Elder Scrolls Online, is now available. This update introduces new content and activities for players across all platforms.
Xbox had laid off 379 Zenimax workers in MarylandMicrosoft's Xbox division has laid off 379 employees across ZeniMax Media Inc. and ZeniMax Online Studios in Maryland. The cuts, effective September 4, 2026, impact 213 workers at The Elder Scrolls Online developer and 166 at ZeniMax Media Inc. This follows a broader trend of job reductions at Xbox, with a total of 3,200 roles being cut across the 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.- Elder Scrolls Online’s Season 1 rolls out today with brand-new Thieves Guild contentThe Elder Scrolls Online has launched Season 1, introducing new PvE-focused rewards and a revamped Thieves Guild questline. Despite recent layoffs at ZeniMax Online Studios, the initial content for Season 1 is rolling out as scheduled, with future content updates potentially impacted.
Former Elder Scrolls Online designer laments the destruction of layoffs: 'There’s really no one left and no…A former content designer for The Elder Scrolls Online, Andrew Young, expressed anger and sadness over recent layoffs at ZeniMax Online Studios, which reportedly cut the team in half. Young lamented the loss of dedicated staff and the impact on the game's future development, noting that key figures like game director Matt Firor had previously departed due to earlier Microsoft layoffs. Community manager Jessica Folsom confirmed that roadmaps would be shifting due to the cuts.- The Daily Grind: What does the future look like for Elder Scrolls Online in the wake of Microsoft’s massacre?Microsoft's recent layoffs have significantly impacted the Elder Scrolls Online studio, leading to the dismissal of numerous staff members, including senior employees. Despite assurances that the game will continue, the roadmap is expected to suffer, raising concerns about its future development and the loss of institutional knowledge within the MMORPG genre.
Xbox layoffs mean that Elder Scrolls Online's roadmap is "shifting" just two days before Season One's release... the plan put in place for the MMO after the last round of cutsMicrosoft's recent layoffs at Xbox Game Studios and Zenimax Online Studios have significantly impacted the development roadmap for Elder Scrolls Online. While the upcoming Season One launch will proceed, future plans are now uncertain and will require re-evaluation by the remaining team. This shift comes despite previous statements from studio leadership indicating the seasonal model was not a response to prior cuts.
Report – Xbox cuts around 25% of Obsidian staffXbox has initiated significant layoffs across its studios, with Obsidian Entertainment reportedly losing around 25% of its staff, impacting producers, artists, designers, and more. This is part of Microsoft's larger plan to lay off 3,200 employees by June 2027, though Blizzard Entertainment teams have been spared for now. The restructuring aims to shift focus away from smaller acquired studios, but the arbitrary nature of the cuts is causing concern over lost expertise.- Report: The “majority” of ID software and up to half of Zenimax online have lost their jobsReports indicate significant layoffs across several Xbox-owned studios, including a majority of ID Software and up to half of ZeniMax Online Studios. These cuts affect teams working on titles like The Elder Scrolls Online, with roadmaps expected to shift. Other studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine are reportedly going independent.
- The Elder Scrolls Online Has Reportedly Lost 'As Much as Half' of Its Development Team as Its Roadmap Is Being Re-EvaluatedReports suggest that The Elder Scrolls Online has experienced significant layoffs, potentially losing up to half of its development team. This has led to questions about the future roadmap and ongoing development of the game.