Farewell, Matt.

ZOS_Icy · July 4

Greetings,

After removing a few off topic posts, we would like to ask everyone to keep posts on the subject at hand, as well as keeping things civil and constructive.

The Elder Scrolls Online Team

Katahdin · July 4

ForumBully wrote: »

Even if Firor wasn't a layoff casualty, higher ups usually aren't, a lot of developers got the axe here. Best of luck to all!

I agree, since he was allowed to make a farewell post saying he was stepping down, I believe it was a personal decision on his part.
Hopefully its not from a health issue for himself or a family member and he is on to bigger and better opportunities.

He brought many good things and good fun to ESO in his time as lead. I wish him well along with all the others who are leaving regardless of how or why they are doing so.

God Speed, fair winds to you and as they say in gaming, "Good luck, have fun"

.

wolfie1.0. · July 4

Cooperharley wrote: »

Thanks Matt!

Although this does make me wonder - with the new IP now scrapped, does this mean more money will go into ESO??

No, we probably should expect more monetization of eso. Remember, they canceled a project that was 5 years in the making, all of those expenses are now sunk costs that investors will want them to recoup.

Parcellus · July 4

Farewell Matt and thank you for your dedication to this game. Cannot imagine, you are the sort of chap that retires at your age. So, expect to see you emerging in some guise on the MMORPG gaming scene real soon. In the meantime, enjoy a well earned rest. All the very best.. Parce

Rittings · July 4

I've often cursed the game, but thankfully not as much as I've loved it... Matt, I'm not sure the direction the game will take without you at the helm, but would still like to offer a solid "Thank you" for all the great memories you've helped so many of us create ... Microsoft and Zenimax have lost a HUGE amount of talent with you... Farewell, and may your staff always be charged, and your food ever replenished!

cmetzger93 · July 4

I'm actually pretty bummed about this. He seemed so nice and cool and I have always appreciated the direction he has pivoted this game over the years. I just hope he is happy with the legacy he left behind. Wishing you all the happiness in the world!

katanagirl1 · July 5

Thank you for creating a beautiful, vibrant world with so many activities to engage in, where I can lose myself and forget about the worries of the day, where I can be a powerful sorceress, a mighty warrior, or a sneaky thief, whatever I can create.

Good luck in your future endeavors, wherever they are.

Mathius_Mordred · July 5

This is concerning. We have to consider that Matt is well aware of the future direction of the company and one possible reason he's getting out now is that he doesn't want to be seen as responsible for the fallout to come, leave on a high as it were. Of course, there could be other reasons he's leaving, the article doesn't state why, we have to wait and see, but overall, I am somewhat concerned about this news.

Ascarl · July 5

Thank you Matt for both DAoC and TESO. These two have been my most played games so far and probably for the rest of my life.

XSTRONG · July 5

Maybe Matt takes the new mmo Zos was working on with him to continue working on it elsewhere.

Look out for a new mmo from another studio in a couple of years lol

Desiato · July 5

Hi Matt,

If you read this, I was a pretty harsh critic several years ago. I seem to recall questioning your ethics at the time. I apologize for that. I couldn't see the forest for the trees.

I understand the market changed and you always needed to be focused on the big picture and in particular your responsibility to your employees and ZOS stakeholders. I know ESO faced an early existential crisis with what must have been incredible pressure from the top to just be Skyrim Online.

Of course we would all build different games if given the opportunity, but in hindsight you did an amazing job as an executive, hype man and advocate for ESO.

Thank you.

Woefulninja4444 · July 5

I'm so disappointed with Xbox execs... Wish you the best Matt, would have loved to see another project from ya

Elsonso · July 5

XSTRONG wrote: »

Maybe Matt takes the new mmo Zos was working on with him to continue working on it elsewhere.

I find myself wondering this, as well. Well, not taking it with him but buying it from them. It isn't like XBox needs it any more.

Madarc · July 6

(So, then again, now in the correct Thread:)

@ZOS_MattFiror
you wrote:
"... I'll be cheering you on and adding to the thousands of hours I've already spent in the game. There are still many stories to be told, adventures to be had, ..."

I wish you, all your colleagues and families who are involved with Elder Scrolls, all the best and continued enjoyment of this genre. Thank you for the for the work and time.

Keep on adventuring!

FeedbackOnly · July 7

Thank you for your vision. I getting off the ship and exploring craglorn. I was like this isn't a game but a world that I would like to help someday. I did only because your vision made this world something I will never leave.

SeaGtGruff · July 7

Matt, thank you for everything you've done to make this game that I love to play for hours on end each and every day. May your future endeavors be successes, whatever they might be.

jad11mumbler · July 7

Thanks for the work and changes you did for ESO Matt!

It's been a blast these last ten years, it's a shame to see you move on but you can only work on one project for so long.
Looking forward to what's next.

jad11mumbler · July 7

Cooperharley wrote: »

Thanks Matt!

Although this does make me wonder - with the new IP now scrapped, does this mean more money will go into ESO??

lol, no.

More money for the shareholders and CEO is more likely.

If not some new project that they cancel again.
Microsoft has let us all down here.

kind_hero · July 7

I am confused. Watching the recent stream and podcasts, seemed the game is doing fine, and things have some direction. With Matt gone so suddenly, I am not sure what to think?

StackonClown · July 7

Sorry for the obvious - what is happening to Matt, why, when?

Desiato · July 7

StackonClown wrote: »

Sorry for the obvious - what is happening to Matt, why, when?

@StackonClown
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/679981/zos-update-from-matt-firor

xylena_lazarow · July 7

MF: I don’t really consider ESO to be an MMO, in the traditional “MMORPG” sense of the word, because that term is freighted with a lot of definitions that don’t apply to ESO (tab targeting, mouse movement, PC-only, super hardcore, etc.).

https://www.thegamer.com/the-elder-scrolls-online-interview/

While I've always had my criticisms, I've also generally always liked Firor as a lead. I was never into MMO games or RPG games, he definitely accomplished his goal of creating something new and distinct from WoW or previous TES games that could appeal to a whole new audience. They've been ahead of the curve on a lot of QOL stuff that I now see other live service games copying. The game will miss him.

SpiritofESO · July 7

Respectfully, although I do not follow the personnel in charge of our games, I do recognize the work that was done on my first favorite PVP mmorpg, which was Dark Age of Camelot, and my second favorite PVP mmorpg experience with the Elder Scrolls online.

(RvRvR and then AvAvA).

If I understand correctly, Matt was the lead developer, if that is the correct term, for both DAoC and ESO, for which I am very grateful! And I am grateful for all the personnel who were involved in these two great games!

Thank you.

TheMajority · July 7

Buy Matt, you were the best ever.

I supported your vision for the game 100% but now it won't be you behind the wheel any more and that will be sad.

But I'll still support Matt's Vision for the game only.

Thank you Matt, I will dream of your return to this game some day or you making something amazing

baratron · July 14

Speaking on behalf of the UESP, we have always greatly appreciated Matt's work on the game, as well as the interview time he's given us. I particularly remember his insights into the character of the Drake of Blades in the Imperial City questline, and his emphasis on including people in the game - with disabled, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ characters showing up in Tamriel just as they do in real life.

Speaking personally, I have always appreciated Matt's leadership and insights, particularly the keynote speeches he has given. I also loved how he stood up for me at the Tenth Anniversary event when the security guard who'd appointed herself the Toilet Police tried to stop me going into the accessible toilet since it involved going through the painting room. He said, "Of course she can use that washroom", with an exasperated expression aimed at the Toilet Police.

I am absolutely devastated - but not at all surprised - that Matt has opted to resign over these layoffs. I wish him either a peaceful retirement or a strong return at another gaming company, whichever he prefers.

I was extremely encouraged by my conversations with both Rich Lambert and Susan Kath at the ESO Tavern over the weekend. Susan in particular is a relatively unknown entity for us players since she has only been attending events for the past year. However, upon speaking to her in depth, I feel that she has some excellent ideas for the futures both of the game and the community. I wish them, along with the rest of ZOS, a great future for ESO.

Elvenheart · July 14

baratron wrote: »

I also loved how he stood up for me at the Tenth Anniversary event when the security guard who'd appointed herself the Toilet Police tried to stop me going into the accessible toilet since it involved going through the painting room. He said, "Of course she can use that washroom", with an exasperated expression aimed at the Toilet Police.

I have to say this is one of my favorite things I’ve read in a while! 😂 🚽 👮

TheMajority · July 15

baratron wrote: »

Speaking on behalf of the UESP, we have always greatly appreciated Matt's work on the game, as well as the interview time he's given us. I particularly remember his insights into the character of the Drake of Blades in the Imperial City questline, and his emphasis on including people in the game - with disabled, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ characters showing up in Tamriel just as they do in real life.

Speaking personally, I have always appreciated Matt's leadership and insights, particularly the keynote speeches he has given. I also loved how he stood up for me at the Tenth Anniversary event when the security guard who'd appointed herself the Toilet Police tried to stop me going into the accessible toilet since it involved going through the painting room. He said, "Of course she can use that washroom", with an exasperated expression aimed at the Toilet Police.

I am absolutely devastated - but not at all surprised - that Matt has opted to resign over these layoffs. I wish him either a peaceful retirement or a strong return at another gaming company, whichever he prefers.

I was extremely encouraged by my conversations with both Rich Lambert and Susan Kath at the ESO Tavern over the weekend. Susan in particular is a relatively unknown entity for us players since she has only been attending events for the past year. However, upon speaking to her in depth, I feel that she has some excellent ideas for the futures both of the game and the community. I wish them, along with the rest of ZOS, a great future for ESO.

I love this anecdote about Matt V.S. the Toilet Police. Matt sticking up for those who need accessibility makes him a 10/10 human being in my book.

Rontabs77 · July 15

Thank you Sir Matt.

ESO has become a big part of my life, positively, because of your leadership.

- Rontabs

Reverb · July 15

Goodbye Matt, you’ve been a key part of my favorite two games ever, ESO and DAoC. I hope that eso is in great hands with the team you’ve built here, and that your next game project is also a favorite.