The Elder Scrolls Online
News, coverage and analysis tracking The Elder Scrolls Online across the outlets.
Former Elder Scrolls Online boss was told in 2001 that 'There's already enough MMOs out there, no one is ever…ZeniMax Online Studios founder Matt Firor discussed the cancellation of Project Blackbird and the current state of the games industry in a recent interview. He drew parallels between today's economic climate and E3 2001, when publishers were skeptical about new MMOs entering the market.
Former Elder Scrolls Online boss describes Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin closing as a turning point at Xbox: 'I…Matt Firor, founder of ZeniMax Online Studios, described the closures of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin as a significant turning point for Xbox, leading developers to fear further layoffs. Firor, who also experienced the cancellation of his game Project Blackbird, views these events as part of a larger industry-wide trend of boom and bust cycles, a sentiment echoed by industry veteran Brenda Romero.
Loving MMOs in 2026 is an exercise in frustration, grief, and moving onThe current state of MMORPGs in 2026 is frustrating due to a lack of new titles and constant changes to existing ones, leaving players reliant on older games. This situation is attributed to the conflict between the long development cycles of MMOs and the short-term profit demands of shareholders, leading to cancellations and instability within the genre.
ESO Creator Praises Crimson Desert for Old School Challenge | HappyGamerThe creator of The Elder Scrolls Online has praised Crimson Desert for its challenging, old-school design that avoids excessive hand-holding. This sentiment sparks debate about the industry's trend towards accessibility versus player-driven discovery. Crimson Desert is set to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with Pearl Abyss aiming for a balance between complexity and focused gameplay.
Elder Scrolls Online vet hates when people call the MMO a "WoW clone" since "you're not going to have fun at all" if you play it like Blizzard's gameFormer The Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor expressed frustration with comparisons of ESO to World of Warcraft, stating that approaching the game like a 'WoW clone' leads to a poor experience. Firor emphasized that while both are MMORPGs, ESO's systems are fundamentally different from WoW's, and players should engage with it as an Elder Scrolls title to enjoy its strengths, particularly its story.
Elder Scrolls Online director says his cancelled MMO was a "missed opportunity" for Bethesda and Xbox, but "a giant successful video game" isn't enough for Microsoft's higher-upsElder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor described his cancelled MMO, Project Blackbird, as a "missed opportunity" for Bethesda and Xbox, but understood Microsoft's decision to cancel it due to its large investment risk. Firor explained that while the game was in development for seven years, it wasn't in full production for that entire duration, and the cancellation was a business decision driven by the need for reliable, forecastable revenue streams.
Former ESO boss Matt Firor talks about the death of unrealised MMO Project Blackbird: 'Microsoft is Microsoft'Former Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor discussed the cancellation of Project Blackbird, an unreleased MMO from Zenimax Online Studios. Firor expressed disappointment, calling it a missed opportunity for all involved, and reflected on how Microsoft's business priorities led to the project's demise.
"A single-player MMO is almost like cheating": Crimson Desert is "awesome," former Elder Scrolls Online director says, even if "I don't know what the hell I'm doing"Former Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor praised Crimson Desert as "awesome," noting that its single-player MMO design feels like "cheating." He highlighted the game's lack of hand-holding, comparing its exploration to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and expressed his enjoyment despite not fully understanding all its mechanics after dozens of hours.
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.
'Why didn't anyone think of this before?': Former Elder Scrolls Online boss loves Crimson Desert, but making 'a singleplayer MMO is almost like cheating' to himFormer Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor expressed his admiration for Crimson Desert, noting that its singleplayer design feels like 'cheating' compared to traditional MMOs. Firor, who left ZeniMax Online Studios after the cancellation of Blackbird, is now focused on Crimson Desert, which evolved from an MMO prequel to Black Desert Online into a singleplayer experience.
Elder Scrolls Online director still secretly plays the MMO, even after he left the studio when Microsoft killed his dream game: "I'm in guilds, and they don't know who I am"Matt Firor, the former director of The Elder Scrolls Online and founder of Zenimax Online, continues to play the MMO secretly even after leaving the studio due to Microsoft's cancellation of his dream game, Project Blackbird. Firor finds enjoyment in experiencing ESO as a player, occasionally communicating with current developers about bugs and upcoming content he helped plan.- Elder Scrolls Online’s Night Market limited time event is live today through June 17The Elder Scrolls Online has launched its first event zone, the Night Market, which is available until June 17. Players can explore Fargrave, join one of three factions, complete tasks, and tackle a 12-person trial for rewards including the Night's Den home. This event also coincides with the Golden Pursuits campaign, offering additional rewards for player activities.
- Perfect Ten: MMORPGs that indulge in character multiclassing and subclassingThis article lists ten MMORPGs that feature multiclassing or subclassing systems, allowing players to combine different classes for unique character builds. Games like City of Heroes, Dungeons and Dragons Online, and Elder Scrolls Online are highlighted for their robust or mandatory multiclassing mechanics.
“We’re a number on a ledger" - ex-Elder Scrolls Online studio head says Microsoft cancelling Project Blackbird was a "missed opportunity"Former ZeniMax Online Studios head Matt Firor described Microsoft's cancellation of the unannounced MMO Project Blackbird as a "missed opportunity" for all parties involved. Firor, who resigned after the project's canning, explained that while he understood the business reasoning behind the decision, it was a "devastating blow" to the team who had invested heavily in building a new engine for the game.
How to complete Safe Harbor in Arc RaidersThis guide details how to complete the Safe Harbor quest in Arc Raiders, which involves finding clues left by restaurant kitchen staff on the Riven Tides map. Players must locate a buried Exodus part by following a sketch found in the Hotel Panorama Azzurro's kitchen and then digging in the northwest area of the Tennis Court.
Microsoft Killed MMO Project Blackbird Because It Was A Line Item On A Ledger, Dev SaysFormer 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 MOP Up: Thousands of EVE Online players continue their epic warThe ongoing war in EVE Online saw over 4,500 pilots engaged in a battle over an Imperium Keepstar, with other fights occurring in surrounding systems. This week's MMO news roundup also includes updates on The Elder Scrolls Online's Night Market factions, Ultima Online's roadmap roundtable, and new content for Wartales and Torchlight Infinite.
- PSA: Tickets for Elder Scrolls Online’s in-person tavern event in Germany are now on saleTickets are now on sale for The Elder Scrolls Online's annual in-person tavern community event, taking place from July 10th to July 12th at Castle Ludwigstein in Germany. The event, running since 2013, will feature several developers and ESO-themed activities, with ticket packages ranging from approximately $58 to $140.
Most MMOs have so many expansions, it's hard to keep track of them all—can you tell our clever fakes from the…This article presents a quiz designed to test players' knowledge of massively multiplayer online (MMO) game expansions. It challenges readers to distinguish between real and fake expansion names for popular titles like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy 14, and Guild Wars 2.- Betawatch: Closed beta for Loftia and EQ Legends, delay for Monsters & MemoriesSeveral MMOs are currently in various stages of testing. Loftia has launched its closed beta with no NDA, while Monsters & Memories has delayed its early access to October due to a lead developer's departure. Camelot Unchained has expanded its testing to Wednesdays, and Palia is adding horses while remaining in beta.