The Elder Scrolls
News, coverage and analysis tracking The Elder Scrolls across the outlets.
New Fallout in the Works at Obsidian, Avowed 2 Cancelled – RumorAccording to reports, Obsidian Entertainment is developing a new Fallout title, potentially directed by Josh Sawyer, who previously worked on Fallout: New Vegas. This comes as Avowed 2 and other unannounced projects have reportedly been cancelled following an internal reset at Xbox. While Avowed 2 may continue development temporarily, the studio is shifting focus to the new Fallout game.
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.
id Software Suffers 90 Layoffs, “Most (If Not All) Coders” and QA Department Let Go – Rumorid Software has reportedly laid off 90 employees, approximately 50% of its staff, including its entire QA department. This move is part of Xbox's broader "reset" plan, which has already led to significant job cuts across its gaming divisions. The layoffs come shortly after the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages' expansion, Revelations, for PC and current-generation consoles.- Some Of The Most Impressive Gaming Tech Ever Wasn’t Enough To Save Devs From Xbox CutsMicrosoft's recent layoffs at id Software have raised concerns about the future of its proprietary id Tech engine, with reports indicating a significant portion of the studio's coding talent was let go. This follows a trend of major studios, including 343 Industries and potentially MachineGames, moving away from internal engines towards Unreal Engine, potentially hindering technological innovation in the gaming industry.
Report: Roughly half of the id Software team have been laid offid Software, the developer of Doom: The Dark Ages, has reportedly laid off approximately 50 percent of its staff, equating to over 90 employees. This follows Xbox's announcement of eliminating 3,200 roles across its video game division. Bethesda president Jill Braff stated that the company is restructuring around its biggest franchises, including Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake.
Xbox's layoffs come with a push to focus on series like Fallout, so naturally New Vegas devs Obsidian have reportedly lost around a quarter of their staffXbox has reportedly laid off approximately 1600 employees and is shifting focus to lucrative series like Fallout. As part of these cuts, Obsidian Entertainment, known for Fallout: New Vegas, has lost around a quarter of its staff, with 60-70 employees let go. This news comes amid broader industry trends of significant layoffs and uncertainty for remaining developers.
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.
Zenimax omorganiseras för att fokusera på sina stora varumärkenZeniMax 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.
Games Inbox: Is the Xbox doomed to failure?Readers express concerns about the future of Xbox, citing recent studio closures and a reliance on aging franchises like Halo and Gears of War. The discussion also touches on the shift towards digital-only games, the impact on game preservation, and the potential for companies like Sony to influence Kickstarter campaigns.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself AliveXbox 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.
The Xbox reset is not going to work if it’s just a retreat to the pastMicrosoft's Xbox division continues to face significant challenges, marked by recurring mass layoffs and declining results. Despite the high volume of job cuts and studio closures, the company's future strategy remains unclear, with speculation that new leadership may be attempting to revert to past successes rather than innovate. The article questions the sustainability of this approach, especially concerning hardware sales and the exclusivity of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls 6.
Xbox’s Game Pass Subscriptions Currently Hovering Around 30 Million – RumorA rumor suggests that Xbox Game Pass subscriptions are currently around 30 million, a figure lower than the 34 million reported in February 2024 and significantly below Microsoft's goal of 77 million by fiscal year 2027. Despite this, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the service did not grow as expected but indicated continued investment in higher priority projects, including The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises.
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.- Fans Mourn Starfield Amid Xbox Layoffs, With Bethesda Now Seemingly Focused on Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, Doom, and QuakeAmidst recent Xbox layoffs, there is speculation that a Starfield sequel is unlikely, with Bethesda seemingly shifting focus to its established franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake. This suggests a potential change in development priorities following the initial reception of Starfield.
Wolfenstein and Doom still in development despite Bethesda cuts confirms insiderDespite 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.
Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax hit hard by Xbox layoffs, says unionMicrosoft's recent Xbox layoffs have significantly impacted Bethesda Game Studios and its parent company ZeniMax Media, with the Bethesda Game Workers Union reporting that many employees have been let go. Reports indicate that studios like id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios are also cutting a substantial number of staff. These reductions are part of a broader reorganization across various Microsoft gaming divisions to focus on higher priority projects.
Doom, Wolfenstein, and Quake will reportedly join Fallout and Elder Scrolls as Bethesda owner ZeniMax switches focus to its largest franchises amid Xbox restructureBethesda owner ZeniMax is reportedly restructuring to focus on its major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, Wolfenstein, and Quake. This shift occurs amid a broader Xbox overhaul that includes layoffs and the sale of other studios. While new entries for Quake and Wolfenstein are implied, id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios are facing significant staff cuts.
As ZeniMax also faces cuts, Xbox seeks a "significant overhaul" to focus on Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Quake, and other big franchisesMicrosoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant overhaul, including layoffs affecting approximately 3200 jobs and restructuring at ZeniMax Media and Bethesda Softworks. The focus will shift to major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, and Quake, potentially impacting the future of other IPs and studios like Arkane.- Xbox Layoffs Hit Id Software And ZeniMax As Focus Shifts To Bigger FranchisesXbox is undergoing its most significant restructure in history, with approximately 20% of its workforce being laid off. This includes significant staff reductions at Id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios, though these developers will remain operational. Xbox leadership stated the company will focus on higher-priority projects and major franchises, assuring that no previously announced first-party games will be canceled as part of these changes.
Xbox acquisitions have been a disaster: "In a typical year, we lost 64 cents for every dollar we invested"Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that Microsoft's aggressive acquisition strategy has resulted in significant financial losses, with the company losing 64 cents for every dollar invested in typical years since 2018. In response to this unsustainable model, Xbox is undergoing a reset, leading to layoffs and the divestment of several studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, while others like Arkane Studios are reviewing strategic options.