The Elder Scrolls Online
News, coverage and analysis tracking The Elder Scrolls Online across the outlets.- Season One: Return of the Thieves Guild is Now Live in The Elder Scrolls OnlineSeason One: Return of the Thieves Guild, a new content update for The Elder Scrolls Online, is now available. This update introduces new content and activities for players across all platforms.
Xbox had laid off 379 Zenimax workers in MarylandMicrosoft'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.
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.- Elder Scrolls Online’s Season 1 rolls out today with brand-new Thieves Guild contentThe Elder Scrolls Online has launched Season 1, introducing new PvE-focused rewards and a revamped Thieves Guild questline. Despite recent layoffs at ZeniMax Online Studios, the initial content for Season 1 is rolling out as scheduled, with future content updates potentially impacted.
Former Elder Scrolls Online designer laments the destruction of layoffs: 'There’s really no one left and no…A former content designer for The Elder Scrolls Online, Andrew Young, expressed anger and sadness over recent layoffs at ZeniMax Online Studios, which reportedly cut the team in half. Young lamented the loss of dedicated staff and the impact on the game's future development, noting that key figures like game director Matt Firor had previously departed due to earlier Microsoft layoffs. Community manager Jessica Folsom confirmed that roadmaps would be shifting due to the cuts.- The Daily Grind: What does the future look like for Elder Scrolls Online in the wake of Microsoft’s massacre?Microsoft's recent layoffs have significantly impacted the Elder Scrolls Online studio, leading to the dismissal of numerous staff members, including senior employees. Despite assurances that the game will continue, the roadmap is expected to suffer, raising concerns about its future development and the loss of institutional knowledge within the MMORPG genre.
Xbox layoffs mean that Elder Scrolls Online's roadmap is "shifting" just two days before Season One's release... the plan put in place for the MMO after the last round of cutsMicrosoft's recent layoffs at Xbox Game Studios and Zenimax Online Studios have significantly impacted the development roadmap for Elder Scrolls Online. While the upcoming Season One launch will proceed, future plans are now uncertain and will require re-evaluation by the remaining team. This shift comes despite previous statements from studio leadership indicating the seasonal model was not a response to prior cuts.
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.- Report: The “majority” of ID software and up to half of Zenimax online have lost their jobsReports indicate significant layoffs across several Xbox-owned studios, including a majority of ID Software and up to half of ZeniMax Online Studios. These cuts affect teams working on titles like The Elder Scrolls Online, with roadmaps expected to shift. Other studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine are reportedly going independent.
- The Elder Scrolls Online Has Reportedly Lost 'As Much as Half' of Its Development Team as Its Roadmap Is Being Re-EvaluatedReports suggest that The Elder Scrolls Online has experienced significant layoffs, potentially losing up to half of its development team. This has led to questions about the future roadmap and ongoing development of the game.
Get Games For Less Than $10 During Green Man Gaming’s Summer SaleGreen Man Gaming is currently hosting its Summer Sale, offering significant discounts on thousands of PC games, with many titles available for under $10. The sale features a wide range of games, from indie hits like Balatro to major releases such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and includes deals on games like Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition, Batman: Arkham Collection, and Destiny 2: The Collection. The sale is set to end on July 13.- The $69 Billion Hangover: Every Xbox Layoff Since The Activision Blizzard MergerMicrosoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion has been followed by significant layoffs and studio closures within its Xbox division. These cuts, described by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma as a "reset" due to an unhealthy business, have impacted thousands of employees and led to the cancellation of several game projects across various studios since January 2024.
Xbox layoffs: jobs lost at Bethesda, more reported at id SoftwareXbox CEO Asha Sharma announced sweeping layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees, or 20% of the organization. Several studios, including Bethesda, Zenimax Online Studios, and id Software, have confirmed job losses, with up to half of the team working on The Elder Scrolls Online reportedly impacted. Five studios are being divested, with Double Fine and Compulsion Games becoming independent, and Ninja Theory and Undead Labs in the process of being acquired.
Elder Scrolls Online developer left reeling by Xbox layoffs—with teams gutted, senior talent gone, and roadmaps…ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of Elder Scrolls Online, has been significantly impacted by recent Xbox layoffs, with reports indicating that half of the active content development team has been let go. This follows a previous round of job losses at the studio in 2025 and raises concerns about the future of the game's roadmap and development.
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.
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.- MMO Week in Review: EverQuest risingThis week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.
DOOM, The Elder Scrolls Online Studios “Cutting a Significant Number of Staff” – RumorReports indicate that id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios, both part of ZeniMax Media, are experiencing significant layoffs. While these studios are not closing, a substantial number of staff are being let go. This news follows broader layoffs at Xbox and impacts studios responsible for franchises like DOOM and The Elder Scrolls Online.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continuesThe Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.- Elder Scrolls Online’s new Thieves Guild content releases next week with season oneThe Elder Scrolls Online is releasing new Thieves Guild content as part of its Season One on July 8. The Thieves Guild DLC has been integrated into the base game, allowing all players access to a new story and questline in Glenumbra. This update includes new rewards, daily activities, and heists, alongside improvements to the Glenumbra zone.