Anne Barrett
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"You can’t just throw new people at that problem": Bethesda devs doubt future Elder Scrolls and Fallout games will have the same "quality level", after losing seasoned staff to Xbox cuts
Unionized Bethesda Game Studios staff are expressing doubts about the company's ability to maintain its historical quality level for future Elder Scrolls and Fallout games following significant layoffs by Microsoft. Developers cite the loss of seasoned employees and institutional knowledge as critical factors that cannot be easily replaced, leading to concerns about the development of The Elder Scrolls VI and other titles. Negotiations over severance terms are ongoing, with union members feeling Microsoft's offers are insufficient.
Bethesda Employees Thought They Were Safe From Layoffs Thanks to Skyrim, Fallout
Former Bethesda Game Studios Austin developer Anne Barrett shared that employees felt secure from layoffs due to the success of games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and Fallout, making Xbox's subsequent announcements even more shocking and devastating. The layoffs resulted in a significant drop in morale and a loss of institutional knowledge crucial for the company's proprietary game engine.
Skyrim and Fallout made Bethesda devs feel "safe" from mass layoffs before Xbox ended decades-long careers in…
Bethesda Game Studios developers, known for franchises like Skyrim and Fallout, felt secure from mass layoffs at Xbox, but were instead blindsided by job cuts affecting long-term employees. An employee described the experience as devastating, with meetings lasting only two minutes to end decades-long careers. The loss of institutional knowledge is a significant concern for future game quality.
