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Anyone Not Working on The Elder Scrolls or Fallout at Bethesda is Being Laid Off – Rumor
Reports suggest that ZeniMax Media, including studios like Bethesda Game Studios and id Software, is undergoing significant layoffs, with employees not working on The Elder Scrolls or Fallout projects being particularly affected. This comes amid broader Xbox restructuring and potential studio closures for titles like Hellblade and South of Midnight, as executives cite revenue losses and rising hardware costs.
Canceled Project Blackbird May Have Been Perfect Replacement For Destiny, Insider Says
Insider reports suggest Microsoft's canceled action-RPG MMO, Project Blackbird, could have been a successful replacement for Destiny 2. Developed by the ZeniMax team, the game was reportedly canceled in mid-2025 due to financial reasons, despite positive internal feedback. Its cancellation is seen as a missed opportunity for Xbox to fill a void in the live-service market.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox must become 'sustainable' as it reportedly considers major spinoff
Microsoft 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.
Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan Has Stepped Down – Rumor
Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O’Connor have reportedly stepped down. Duncan stated in an email that his purpose was to serve the studios and teams, and he is proud of the launches achieved during his 20-month tenure. Matt Booty is expected to oversee Xbox Game Studios in the interim, amidst rumors of further layoffs and potential studio closures at Xbox.
Xbox announces business 'reset' amid reports of layoffs and studio closures
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a business 'reset' for Microsoft's gaming division, signaling significant layoffs and potential studio closures following years of declining revenue. The memo cites a substantial increase in component costs for hardware and memory, exacerbated by past expansion choices, as a major challenge. Sharma and Xbox content chief Matt Booty aim to revive the company by evolving its business model and partnerships over the next 100 days.
The Elder Scrolls Online now Steam Deck Verified with Update 50
The Elder Scrolls Online has officially achieved Steam Deck Verified status following Update 50. This update addresses previous issues with the launcher and gamepad input, making the MMORPG a well-functioning experience on Valve's handheld device.
Forza Horizon 6 Proves Xbox Still Has One Franchise No One Can Touch
Forza Horizon 6 continues the franchise's streak of critical acclaim, earning high Metascores and praise for its visuals, gameplay, and open-world design in Japan. This consistent excellence stands in contrast to the struggles of other Xbox franchises like Halo and Gears of War. Playground Games' ability to deliver on fan expectations and maintain quality is highlighted as the key to Forza Horizon's enduring success.
MMO vet Matt Firor was going to make Fallout Online in 2007, but Interplay 'went totally dark on me' and he…
MMO veteran Matt Firor revealed in an interview that he was close to developing Fallout Online in 2007, having secured investment and a publisher in Brash Entertainment, but Interplay, who held the IP rights, went silent. This project ultimately never materialized as Bethesda later acquired the Fallout IP wholesale and engaged in legal battles with Interplay over the rights to create a Fallout MMO. Firor instead went on to found ZeniMax and develop The Elder Scrolls Online.
Microsoft Killed MMO Project Blackbird Because It Was A Line Item On A Ledger, Dev Says
Former The Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor revealed that Microsoft canceled ZeniMax's Project Blackbird due to financial reasons, with the project being viewed as just a number on a ledger during a business review. Firor described the cancellation as a heartbreaking but understandable business decision, noting the cyclical nature of the video game industry compared to more predictable revenue streams. Following the cancellation and layoffs, some former employees formed the new studio Sackbird Studios.
The Elder Scrolls Online Cross-Play Update: Not Coming in 2026 — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
ZeniMax has confirmed that cross-play for The Elder Scrolls Online is not planned for release in 2026, though development is ongoing and progress is being made. While a highly requested feature for the 12-year-old MMORPG, the team is prioritizing a seamless implementation. The game will continue its seasonal content rollout in 2026, with Season 0 launching soon.
The Elder Scrolls Online 2026 Seasons Detailed — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
ZeniMax detailed the 2026 seasonal content roadmap for The Elder Scrolls Online, introducing new event zones, difficulty options, PvP rewards, and story continuations. Season 0 will feature the "Dawn and Dusk" event with "The Night Market," while Season 1 will focus on the Thieves Guild with new stealth mechanics and a questline involving Sheogorath. The game will also be available on Xbox and PC Game Pass starting June 2.
A $1,000 PS6 And Xbox Helix Are Dangerous For The Future Of Gaming
This article discusses concerns about the future of gaming, particularly regarding potential high-priced next-generation consoles like a hypothetical $1,000 PlayStation 6 and Xbox Helix. It touches on the anticipation for upcoming titles like Halo, The Elder Scrolls VI, and Gears of War: E-Day, while also noting the current perceived lack of major first-party releases from PlayStation compared to Xbox.
Starfield's composer says the game will become 'legendary', Todd Howard's a 'visionary', and maybe you 'were just not ready for it'
Composer Inon Zur, known for his work on Fallout and Starfield, defended Starfield and Todd Howard's vision in a recent interview. Zur described Howard as a "visionary" and suggested players "were just not ready" for the game's scope. He also discussed his musical approach to Starfield, aiming to capture the vastness of space contrasted with the individual player.
Phil Spencer Was Good for Xbox, but His Legacy Is Complicated - IGN
Phil Spencer is retiring after 38 years with Microsoft, concluding a 12-year tenure as Head of Xbox. His legacy is viewed as complicated, with shareholders seeing massive stock growth while some hardcore gamers point to increased subscription prices, fewer exclusives, and studio closures. Despite these criticisms, the article argues Spencer was a net positive, crediting him with saving Xbox during the Xbox One era, championing features like backwards compatibility and cross-play, and building a strong portfolio of studios and games.
A New Quake Trademark Has Been Filed, Should We Be Excited?
ZeniMax Media has filed a new trademark for the Quake name, sparking excitement among fans as the franchise approaches its 30th anniversary. While this filing is likely routine maintenance for the trademark, it coincides with Machine Games' previous tease of Quake-related content and could indicate a future revival of the series.
Business and Finance
ZeniMax Media, the parent company of id Software, has filed a new trademark for the Quake franchise. Separately, Valve reported that over 5,800 games on Steam earned more than $100,000 in revenue during 2025.
Legacy of Orsinium, Skyrim’s Biggest Paid Mod, Launches on PC & Xbox from Ex-AAA Team
Legacy of Orsinium, the largest paid mod expansion for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, has launched on PC and Xbox. Developed by indie studio Veelpoot, founded by ex-AAA veterans, the expansion adds new quests, dungeons, and stories focused on Orc Strongholds. It is available for 1,000 credits on the Skyrim Creations platform.
'If we love this work, we have to protect it:' Heart Machine workers secure voluntary union recognition
Employees at Heart Machine, the studio behind Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, have successfully unionized with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and received voluntary recognition from the company. This move follows recent layoffs and aims to secure better work-life balance, creative autonomy, and job security for developers. The unionization effort at Heart Machine is part of a broader trend of increasing labor organizing within the game industry.
Quake gets a new trademark filing, but don't get your hopes up for a reboot
ZeniMax has renewed the trademark for the Quake series. While this action could suggest a potential reboot similar to Doom, it is more likely a routine procedural filing to maintain the trademark.
Sneaky trademark filing suggests id Software might be working on a long-awaited Quake sequel
A new trademark filing by ZeniMax Media, parent company of id Software, suggests a potential new Quake game is in development. While Quake Champions has seen little activity, the filing for the 'QUAKE' name could indicate a reboot or sequel for the influential first-person shooter franchise.