Zenimax Media
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House House will not release Big Walk on Xbox in support of pro-Palestinian BDS campaign
Melbourne-based developer House House will not release its co-op game Big Walk on Xbox due to support for the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which has designated Microsoft Games and Xbox as boycott targets. This decision, while understood to disappoint players, aligns with the developer's belief in collective action for meaningful change. Other indie developers have also taken similar stances against Microsoft's alleged complicity in Israeli actions.
Why it's still worth making immersive sims
Former Arkane Studios collaborators Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, now co-founders of Black Pony Immersive, are committed to developing ambitious 'immersive sim' games. They discuss the challenges of creating these genre-defining titles without the backing of major publishers like Zenimax or Microsoft, emphasizing creativity and passion.
The Elder Scrolls Online has sea battles now, so we asked Zenimax how they work
The Elder Scrolls Online is introducing instanced sea battles and treasure diving as part of its High Seas of Tamriel event. Players will repel pirate attacks, sink enemy ships, and then explore underwater environments using Dwemer diving chambers to find treasure. Zenimax developers describe the event as an experimental, narrative-driven experience that delves into lesser-known lore.
The Elder Scrolls Online is partly why Skyrim never got a Fallout: New Vegas-style spin-off, says Bethesda veteran
Former Skyrim co-lead designer Kurt Kuhlmann suggests that The Elder Scrolls Online's ongoing success occupied the fanbase, preventing a Fallout: New Vegas-style spin-off for Skyrim. Kuhlmann also noted that series creator Todd Howard was protective of the franchise, potentially avoiding a situation similar to the perceived rivalry between Bethesda and Obsidian over Fallout games.
ESO devs tell us exactly how its Rumors update revives Morrowind's detective work
The Elder Scrolls Online is introducing a new 'Rumors' system that revives Morrowind's approach to exploration by removing objective markers and providing players with actual clues to follow. This narrative scavenger hunt feature, designed by Zenimax Online developers like Jason Barnes and Michael Zenke, will initially launch with 15 mysteries of varying difficulty, encouraging players to piece together information and navigate the world organically.
The Elder Scrolls Online's devs are pushing through hard times after layoffs and delays: 'We didn't want…
The Elder Scrolls Online's development team at Zenimax Online is navigating significant challenges following substantial layoffs and project delays. Despite a 60% reduction in staff over the past year, developers express commitment to the game and its community, pushing updates to 2027 to ensure quality over rushed releases. The team is also experimenting with new content types like 'rumours' to foster player discovery.
Following id layoffs, Quake Champions drops free-to-play nonsense and becomes a £9 game on Steam
Quake Champions has transitioned from a free-to-play model to a premium purchase on Steam, removing battle passes, loot boxes, and its in-game store. This change occurs in the context of significant layoffs at id Software, its developer, following Microsoft's acquisition of Zenimax. While the game will continue in some form, no further content updates are planned.
Xbox continues 'reset' with Halo Studios layoffs and Undead Labs divestment
Xbox has announced further layoffs, cutting 268 employees from various first-party studios including Halo Studios. This is part of a larger restructuring plan that has already seen divestments of studios like Undead Labs and Compulsion Games, and the proposed closure of Ninja Theory. Xbox is also consolidating internal studios and shifting development responsibilities, with Activision now set to develop the next Halo title.
Xbox reportedly set to announce second round of layoffs this week
Xbox is reportedly preparing for a second round of layoffs this week as part of an ongoing restructuring that includes consolidating several of its game studios. This follows an earlier round of 1,600 redundancies and the divestment of five studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited spreading resources too thin and fragmentation as reasons for the changes, aiming for future growth.
Skyrim Co-Lead Thought Bethesda Would Start The Elder Scrolls 6 Development Right After Fallout 4
Former Skyrim co-lead Kurt Kuhlmann revealed that many at Bethesda expected to begin development on The Elder Scrolls 6 immediately after Fallout 4, but the studio instead focused on Fallout 76 and the new IP Starfield. Kuhlmann expressed that the decision to prioritize Starfield, described by Todd Howard as his 'dream game,' was a surprise to many developers who would have preferred to work on The Elder Scrolls 6.
"Most people wanted" to make The Elder Scrolls 6 after Fallout 4, says Skyrim co-lead, but then Todd Howard…
Former Skyrim co-lead Kurt Kuhlmann revealed that many at Bethesda expected The Elder Scrolls 6 to follow Fallout 4, but Todd Howard prioritized the new IP Starfield. Kuhlmann expressed personal preference for developing The Elder Scrolls 6 over Starfield and Fallout 76, suggesting this sentiment was shared by much of the studio.
'We didn't have layoffs before, and now all of a sudden we have yearly layoffs': Bethesda artist says 'something has changed' under Microsoft
Bethesda artist Alex Nguyen stated that yearly layoffs have become a norm under Microsoft's ownership, contrasting with the studio's past. He highlighted the erosion of institutional knowledge and the impact on long-term commitment among staff. This comes amidst industry-wide concerns about corporate greed and job security, with Microsoft also implementing significant job cuts in its gaming divisions.
"Without us, Bethesda games aren’t Bethesda games": Rallies against Microsoft layoffs at Elder Scrolls studio continue, with unionised devs' morale "on the upswing"
Unionized developers at Bethesda Softworks continue to rally against Microsoft's recent layoffs, which have impacted staff across Xbox Game Studios. Developers express concern over the company's handling of the reductions in force and the effect on game development timelines for titles like The Elder Scrolls 6. Despite low morale regarding work, there is optimism about the ongoing union organizing efforts.
Bethesda 40th anniversary sale knocks 50% off Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations just a month after launch
Bethesda is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a major sale on Steam, featuring discounts of up to 67% on many of its titles, including subsidiaries id Software and Arkane Studios. Notably, the recently released Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations expansion is 50% off, just one month after its launch. This sale occurs amidst recent layoffs at Bethesda Game Studios, Zenimax Online, and id Software, and concerns about Arkane Studios' future following Microsoft's acquisition.
After 12 years and heavy layoffs, new Elder Scrolls Online lead says the MMO is "here to stay" with extra help from Bethesda proper and "all-new experiences in Skyrim" on the way
Despite significant layoffs at Zenimax Online, the new lead for The Elder Scrolls Online, Nick Giacomini, assures players the MMORPG is committed to a long-term future with increased collaboration with Bethesda Game Studios. This new direction prioritizes quality over strict deadlines, leading to delays for upcoming content like the Crimson Veldt trial and Update 52, now slated for January 2027, alongside new experiences in Skyrim.
New data suggests layoffs will affect 14,259 people by the end of 2026, up 78% from first forecast of the year
New data from the ASGC Games Industry Layoffs Tracker forecasts that job losses will reach 14,259 by the end of 2026, a significant increase from earlier projections. This trend indicates an acceleration in layoffs, with North America and Europe being the most affected regions. The projected numbers for 2026 are expected to surpass the total for 2024.
Fallout 3 and New Vegas Remasters are a good start, but before Fallout 5 Bethesda could be doing so much more
The announcement of Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters highlights the long neglect of the Fallout series, with Fallout 5 not expected for many years. While new content for Fallout 76 and a potential Obsidian project are on the horizon, the article argues that Xbox and Bethesda could leverage other studios within their ecosystem to develop more Fallout titles and better manage the franchise's potential.
The Elder Scrolls 6 development roadmap is unaffected by Xbox's mass layoffs, Bethesda says, despite devs'…
Bethesda Game Studios has stated that the development roadmap for The Elder Scrolls 6 remains unaffected by recent mass layoffs across Xbox Game Studios and its subsidiaries. Despite concerns from some developers and reports of potential delays and increased reliance on contractors, Bethesda assures that production is proceeding as planned. The company also mentioned that Starfield has been released and they are now focusing on the next installment in The Elder Scrolls series.
Everything Bethesda just announced about the future of Fallout and The Elder Scrolls
Bethesda Softworks has announced significant updates for its major RPG franchises. Fallout 5 is in pre-production, while The Elder Scrolls 6 is progressing well. Remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are also in development, alongside an expansion for Fallout 76 and continued support for Fallout Shelter and Starfield. These announcements come amidst studio layoffs and a focus on the Creation Engine 3.
Bethesda make huge promises for The Elder Scrolls and Fallout - now it has to deliver
Bethesda Game Studios has outlined its future plans, confirming development on The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5, with the former being the primary focus and the latter in pre-production. The studio also announced remasters for Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, a new Fallout project from Obsidian Entertainment, and continued support for Starfield and Fallout 76, including a major expansion titled Raven Rock planned for 2027.
