ZeniMax Online Studios
ZeniMax Online Studios business and news from across the web.- MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffsThis week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
- The Daily Grind: What concepts do MMORPGs keep trying to reinvent for a new generation?This article discusses how MMORPG developers often reintroduce older game design concepts as if they are new innovations. A ZeniMax Online Studios developer's comment about a new dungeon type is used as an example, highlighting how open dungeons were common in early MMOs like Ultima Online and EverQuest before becoming less prevalent after World of Warcraft.
- Elder Scrolls Online plans a dev panel for a fan event at July’s GCX Event in Orlando, FloridaZeniMax Online Studios will host a special panel for The Elder Scrolls Online at the GCX Event in Orlando, Florida, on July 24th and 25th. The panel, featuring Associate Design Director Mike Finnigan and Principal Creator Engagement Manager Gina Bruno, will focus on improving the community feedback loop in the game's development and will be livestreamed.
- Elder Scrolls Online discusses the arrival of Nowhere Vault, antiquities updates, and solo dungeons in U51ZeniMax Online Studios detailed upcoming features for The Elder Scrolls Online's Update 51, including UI customization for PC players, streamlined antiquities system, a new multi-stage Nowhere Vault dungeon launching July 8th, and solo dungeons with selectable difficulties. The update also brings transmutation stations to Imperial City and Cyrodiil, alongside UI improvements for housing.
5 promising games recently cancelled by MicrosoftMicrosoft has recently cancelled several promising game projects, including 'Odyssey,' 'Everwild,' 'Perfect Dark,' 'Contraband,' and 'Project Blackbird,' as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy under new CEO Asha Sharma. These cancellations have led to studio closures and significant layoffs, with former employees expressing disappointment over the loss of potentially exciting titles and the shift away from riskier, ambitious projects.
Report: Redundancies at Microsoft owned Zenimax have begunMicrosoft has reportedly begun significant layoffs and studio closures within its Zenimax Media division, which includes Bethesda, id Software, and Arkane Studios. Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine Productions are also facing potential shutdowns. This news follows recent announcements about Xbox game exclusivity and a reported decline in profitability, indicating a major business reset for the brand.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox must become 'sustainable' as it reportedly considers major spinoffMicrosoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that Xbox must become a 'sustainable' business, implying it has been subsidized rather than profitable. This follows reports that Microsoft is considering spinning out Xbox into a standalone unit, potentially to sell it or find a partner. The company also aims to speed up development for major franchises like Halo and The Elder Scrolls, while addressing challenges like memory chip price increases driven by AI companies.- Elder Scrolls Online’s ‘hybridization initiative’ continues with update 51, due out August 31ZeniMax Online Studios is continuing its 'hybridization initiative' with The Elder Scrolls Online's upcoming Update 51, scheduled for August 31. This update will further streamline character resources and stats by removing or replacing duplicated effects and overhauling systems like Mundus Stones, buffs, class passives, and alchemy to lower the barrier for creating effective builds.
- Massively OP Podcast Episode 568: Take me home, Tyrian roadsThe Massively OP Podcast episode 568 covers the official announcement of Guild Wars 3, release windows for Aion 2, Stars Reach, Loftia, Dune Awakening, and Valheim, and early access updates for Camelot Unchained and Eterspire. The hosts also discuss Star Wars: The Old Republic's Update 7.9 and The Elder Scrolls Online's Update 50.
- Elder Scrolls Online launches U50 and difficulty tools today while teasing S1’s Thieves Guild rebootThe Elder Scrolls Online is launching Update 50 today, introducing new features like the Vengeance PvP campaign, Veterancy system, and a challenge difficulty option. The update also teases the upcoming "Return of the Thieves Guild" season, which will revamp the classic DLC with new story content and systems, beginning July 8th.
- The indie team that spun out of Project Blackbird just announced friendslop game Hijinks HighIndie studio Sackbird, formed by former ZeniMax Online Studios developers who were laid off after the cancellation of Project Blackbird, has announced its first game, Hijinks High. This multiplayer party game tasks players with causing as much mayhem as possible in a school setting before the final bell rings, with an extraction element involving escaping faculty.
- Elder Scrolls Online’s Vengeance PvP campaign is finally launching with next week’s update 50ZeniMax Online Studios is launching the Vengeance Player vs Player campaign permanently into The Elder Scrolls Online with Update 50 on June 8. This mode features massive battles with up to 900 players, modified abilities, and unique perks, with campaigns lasting 30 days. Players level 10 and above can access the campaign through the Alliance War menu.
FORMER ELDER SCROLLS ONLINE DEVELOPERS REVEAL DEBUT TITLE HIJINKS HIGHSackbird Studios, founded by former The Elder Scrolls Online developers, has revealed its debut title, Hijinks High. This chaotic first-person multiplayer party game is set to launch on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Players can team up with up to five friends to cause mayhem and pull pranks in a school setting before the final bell rings.- Elder Scrolls Online previews the long-awaited challenge difficulty options coming in June’s Update 50ZeniMax Online Studios is introducing a new challenge difficulty system in The Elder Scrolls Online's upcoming Update 50, launching June 8th. This system, highly requested by players, will allow them to increase the difficulty of overland content, quest instances, delves, and public dungeons for greater rewards, with tiers ranging from 'adventurer' to 'vestige'.
"People want MMOs, and the sales of New World proved it" – Cryptic Studios head Jack Emmert on why MMOs are ripe for reinventionCryptic Studios CEO Jack Emmert believes the MMORPG market is still strong, citing the sales of New World as proof, despite recent cancellations. He argues that successful MMOs should focus on a distinct vision and niche audience rather than trying to appeal to everyone, which often leads to diluted experiences. Emmert also emphasizes the importance of rapid prototyping and controlled scope for long-term success in the genre.- Elder Scrolls Online previews U50’s Veterancy system and S1’s High Seas of Tamriel boat contentZeniMax Online Studios is previewing upcoming content for The Elder Scrolls Online, including the Veterancy system for PvP players in Update 50 and the High Seas of Tamriel event for Season One. The Veterancy system offers a new progression track with rewards for PvP activities, while the High Seas of Tamriel will introduce naval combat, fishing, and treasure hunting on boats.
- Elder Scrolls Online details the class mastery system launching with U50 in JuneZeniMax Online Studios has detailed the upcoming class mastery system for The Elder Scrolls Online, launching with Update 50 on June 8th. This new system introduces a passive skill line for each of the game's seven classes, offering five unique abilities per class to further enhance player builds and reward specialization.
- Elder Scrolls Online teases U50’s Golden Pursuit-esque newbie onboarding path and guild mail systemZeniMax Online Studios is preparing to launch update 50 for The Elder Scrolls Online on June 8th, introducing a new 'Path to Adventure' system designed to help new players acclimate to the game. This update also includes a new guild mail system and other quality-of-life improvements.
Double Fine Productions is the latest Microsoft subsidiary to unioniseDouble Fine Productions, the developer of Psychonauts, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the support of the Communications Workers of America. This move follows a trend of unionization among Microsoft subsidiaries, with the company agreeing to a neutral approach. The proposed union includes 42 employees who aim to preserve the studio's commitments to creative excellence and worker quality of life.
Double Fine is the latest team at Microsoft to unionizeDouble Fine, the studio behind Psychonauts, has filed a petition to unionize with the National Labor Relations Board, with all 42 employees participating. The studio is organizing with the Communications Workers of America, a union that has previously supported labor efforts at other Microsoft-owned studios like Activision and ZeniMax.