ZeniMax
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Asha Sharma joins Federal Reserve advisory task force days after laying off thousands at Xbox
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed to a new US Federal Reserve task force focused on productivity and jobs, specifically examining the economic impact of artificial intelligence. This appointment follows Xbox's announcement of significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees and several game studios, including Double Fine and Ninja Theory.
Microsoft filing shows total ZeniMax layoffs at 379, with over half coming from Elder Scrolls Online studio that's lost at least 60% of its staff in the past year
Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media has resulted in significant layoffs, with a total of 379 employees affected across ZeniMax Online Studios and ZeniMax Media. ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, has seen over half of its staff depart in the past year, reducing its workforce to approximately 40% of its previous size despite the game's consistent revenue.
Microsoft’s nonsensical Elder Scrolls Online layoffs cut 213 staff, according to WARN Act disclosure
Microsoft has laid off 213 employees from ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, and 166 from ZeniMax, which includes Fallout 76. This news comes from a WARN Act disclosure and adds to previous layoffs at the studio. Despite the significant cuts, The Elder Scrolls Online has reportedly been a consistent revenue generator for over a decade.
Xbox had laid off 379 Zenimax workers in Maryland
Microsoft'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.
Rapport: Obsidian skrotar flera projekt för att jobba på ett nytt Fallout
Obsidian Entertainment is reportedly shifting focus to a new Fallout game, led by Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer. This pivot means a sequel to Avowed is being put on hold, with only a small team maintaining it. The studio has also undergone significant layoffs, cutting about a quarter of its staff, though development will continue on DLC for The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2.
The Elder Scrolls Online Studio Layoffs Affect 213 Employees
ZeniMax Online Studios has laid off 213 employees, a significant portion of its workforce, following Microsoft's broader layoffs impacting Xbox. This reduction has led to a shift in the content roadmap for the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online. Former employees expressed disappointment and concern over the impact on the game's development and the team's well-being.
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.
Microsoft is reportedly considering making more of its first-party games exclusive to Xbox
Microsoft is reportedly considering making more of its first-party games exclusive to Xbox consoles to incentivize purchases. While major multiplayer titles will remain multiplatform, upcoming games like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are confirmed Xbox console exclusives, with The Elder Scrolls 6 potentially following suit. This strategy shift comes amidst significant layoffs and studio closures within Microsoft's gaming division.
Microsoft Spent $80 Billion On Its Bet For Xbox Game Pass. It Did Not Work.
A report indicates Microsoft spent nearly $80 billion over the past decade on initiatives to boost Xbox and Xbox Game Pass, but these efforts did not meet growth expectations. Despite significant investments in acquisitions and third-party deals, Game Pass subscriber numbers have stagnated, leading to recent layoffs and studio divestitures as Microsoft aims to refocus its strategy.
Raphael Colantonio on Arkane's Status
Raphael Colantonio addressed the uncertainty surrounding Arkane Studios' future following recent layoffs at Xbox. Colantonio, who co-founded Arkane and left in 2017, commented on the situation via X, noting Arkane's acquisition by ZeniMax Media in 2010.
Obsidian Hit Hard By Xbox Layoffs, With 25% Of Devs Cut From Studio
Obsidian Entertainment has been significantly impacted by recent Xbox layoffs, with approximately 25% of its workforce, around 60-70 employees, being let go. The cuts affected various roles, including senior talent, art directors, and recruiters. Despite the reductions, work is expected to continue on Grounded 2 and planned DLC for The Outer Worlds 2.
Xbox has lost five studios – so who is left to make new video games?
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 staff members and leading to five studios divesting from the company. Xbox leadership aims to refocus on core franchises and expand its daily audience to over a billion people through its services. The article details the remaining studios, their current projects, and their future prospects under this new strategy.
While several Xbox studios regained independence or found new owners yesterday, Arkane's staff must negotiate their own future
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, spinning off five studios and implementing widespread layoffs. While some studios regain independence or find new owners, the fate of Arkane Studios, specifically Arkane Lyon in France, remains undecided as negotiations involving Microsoft, studio management, and employee representatives are ongoing. This situation highlights differing labor law protections between France and the US, with Arkane Lyon's future potentially involving sale, management buyout, or closure.
Latest Xbox layoffs hit id Software as Doom: The Dark Ages' DLC launches, around half of the staff potentially cut
Xbox is implementing significant layoffs, impacting id Software heavily just as its new DLC for Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch. Reports suggest around half of id Software's staff, potentially including most coders, may have been cut. This follows broader workforce reductions across ZeniMax studios and other Xbox-owned entities, raising concerns about the future of the id Tech engine and the studio's development capabilities.
Zenimax omorganiseras för att fokusera på sina stora varumärken
ZeniMax Media is undergoing a significant restructuring to concentrate on its major franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake. This reorganization follows recent layoffs at Xbox and involves some studios becoming independent or being sold, though ZeniMax itself retains its studios.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself Alive
Xbox is undergoing a massive restructuring, including 3,200 layoffs, impacting numerous studios and divisions like Activision, Bethesda, and Blizzard. While some studios regain independence and first-party projects remain safe for now, the article criticizes Xbox's overall strategy, citing Game Pass's performance and declining hardware revenue. The piece also touches on PlayStation's similar issues with digital ownership and preservation, painting a bleak picture for the future of gaming costs and ownership.
Bethesda Hit Hard by Layoffs, Studio Head Says “We Need to Change Course” – Rumor
Bethesda has reportedly experienced significant layoffs, with studio head Jill Braff stating the company needs to "change course" to ensure a more stable foundation and sustainable growth. This shift involves focusing on its strongest franchises, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, potentially impacting development on other titles. The move comes amid broader industry layoffs and aims to reposition Bethesda for future success.
Microsoft's dumb enough to make a new Quake game in Unreal Engine
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced significant layoffs impacting id Software, raising concerns about the future of the Quake franchise. The author speculates that Microsoft might develop a new Quake game using Unreal Engine 6 instead of id Software's proprietary idTech, potentially alienating long-time fans and disregarding the studio's legacy.
Bethesda union blasts Microsoft as Xbox layoffs hit the Fallout and Elder Scrolls studio, too: "When will this cycle of cuts in pursuit of ever-greater profits end?"
Microsoft has initiated significant layoffs across its Xbox division, impacting Bethesda Game Studios and other developers. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed frustration over the recurring cuts, highlighting the impact on long-term employees and calling for an end to profit-driven redundancies. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited weak operating margins and underperforming investments as reasons for the restructuring, which includes potential strategic shifts for studios like Arkane.
Wolfenstein and Doom still in development despite Bethesda cuts confirms insider
Despite significant layoffs at ZeniMax Media and its studios like id Software and MachineGames, franchises such as Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake are reportedly still in development. While Microsoft's Xbox is prioritizing Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, an insider confirms that ZeniMax will continue to support other major series, with Wolfenstein 3 rumored to be in development at MachineGames.
