Another round of layoffs :(

ers101284b14_ESO

OrangeTheCat wrote: »

Are they laying off employees or contractors or both? Laying off employees is a big deal, contractors not so much.

Looking around it seems to be CS and some Artists.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO

traigusb14_ESO2 wrote: »

Pallmor wrote: »

smeeprocketnub19_ESO wrote: »

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

Good or bad it doesn't matter as long as we all agree that if Jessica or Gina get laid off we all riot!

I thought Nick Konkle was the new FotM. He has two separate cults worshiping him last I checked.

I don't know, I don't pay attention. These people exist to entertain me. Dance! Why are you not dancing!?

Oh come on, there is no way "Nick Konkle" isn't a made-up name.

I agree. There must be a conspiracy. Who is he really? Who does he really work for?

Could it be ... Aliens? Daedra? A company that makes patch note listing software?

We demand Answers!
..and ice cream, because it is kinda hot out today. 2 scoops please.

I require toffuti cuties, please. But also answers, I guess.

DeadByNow

c0rp wrote: »

Lol at all these doomsayers. The article states ZERO information about who or what they did. For all we know...they let 50 people go who speak French and work in CS.

When devs and execs start losing jobs and a f2p business model is announced, thats when I will start worrying.

Everyone said this game would be f2p within 6 months. That didnt happen now did it?

It hasn't been 6 months.

Tandor

kitsinni wrote: »

Tandor wrote: »

kitsinni wrote: »

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

kitsinni wrote: »

I mean when you are behind on console release, have almost an entire game overhaul planned and plan to expand to international territories why wouldn't it be normal to lay off staff?

Depends on the Departments. Do you need 300 English Speaking CS reps for a Japanese release? Or would you let go 300 English speakers and hire 300 Japanese speakers? They have no plans to fully overhaul the game. So yeah it can be normal.

The champion system is about as close to an overhaul as you can get without quite crossing the line. No softcaps, no vet levels, all VR gear changed to level 50, changed set bonuses, changed mats for crafting, changed enchanting, changed alchemy, changed provisioning, change to every crafting profession, changed skills, changed passives and an entire new set of passives. How much is left that isn't being changed?

The rest of the game that isn't related to veteran/champion levels?

There's some other tweaking to other parts of the game but that is standard for any MMO as such a game is constantly evolving, and not one that is ever "finished" (which makes a mockery of those whose sole aim is to "finish" it).

How much of the "rest of the game" isn't related to champion system? I guess horses, some of the cities but even that will change a lot with the Justice system. I guess the art is the same but as far as the combat system I don't see a single part that won't change in some way except for some of the 1-49 play but a lot of that will change with changes to soft caps, passives, skills and sets.

So to give your own answer, the art, the justice system, the cities, and levels 1-49. Plus the gameworld, presumably, along with the storyline, quests, voiceovers, skyshards and achievements, and overall graphics.

I'll settle for that.

Oh, and not forgetting the horses, which you also mentioned.

Pallmor

traigusb14_ESO2 wrote: »

Pallmor wrote: »

smeeprocketnub19_ESO wrote: »

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

Good or bad it doesn't matter as long as we all agree that if Jessica or Gina get laid off we all riot!

I thought Nick Konkle was the new FotM. He has two separate cults worshiping him last I checked.

I don't know, I don't pay attention. These people exist to entertain me. Dance! Why are you not dancing!?

Oh come on, there is no way "Nick Konkle" isn't a made-up name.

I agree. There must be a conspiracy. Who is he really? Who does he really work for?

Could it be ... Aliens? Daedra? A company that makes patch note listing software?

We demand Answers!
..and ice cream, because it is kinda hot out today. 2 scoops please.

It's probably an anagram. I wonder what we win when we figure it out?

Circuitous

I'd swear people were looking for any excuse not to keep playing.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO

Pallmor wrote: »

traigusb14_ESO2 wrote: »

Pallmor wrote: »

smeeprocketnub19_ESO wrote: »

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

Good or bad it doesn't matter as long as we all agree that if Jessica or Gina get laid off we all riot!

I thought Nick Konkle was the new FotM. He has two separate cults worshiping him last I checked.

I don't know, I don't pay attention. These people exist to entertain me. Dance! Why are you not dancing!?

Oh come on, there is no way "Nick Konkle" isn't a made-up name.

I agree. There must be a conspiracy. Who is he really? Who does he really work for?

Could it be ... Aliens? Daedra? A company that makes patch note listing software?

We demand Answers!
..and ice cream, because it is kinda hot out today. 2 scoops please.

It's probably an anagram. I wonder what we win when we figure it out?

vanity pet!

kieso

They laid off their one QA guy, hahahahahaha.

awe i made myself sad

Attorneyatlawl

ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »

Lionxoft wrote: »

ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »

Just a general reminder to please be respectful and constructive, everyone. No one wants or needs nastiness in a discussion about this.

I guess this means I will be stuck with the Warrior stone for a few more months? Can we get an update on it at least?

No, we're actively working on a fix for that issue. Voicing constructive discontent about an outstanding bug is totally acceptable. It's possible to be critical or even negative, and still be respectful and constructive.

Any word on camera issues/suggestions outlined here: http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/128451/ ?

c0rp wrote: »

Lol at all these doomsayers. The article states ZERO information about who or what they did. For all we know...they let 50 people go who speak French and work in CS.

When devs and execs start losing jobs and a f2p business model is announced, thats when I will start worrying.

Everyone said this game would be f2p within 6 months. That didnt happen now did it?

Quoted for emphasis. There's no cause for concern from our side of the fence at least as players so far. And particularly I don't get why people take this as anything but an opportunity to cross their fingers and hope for the best for anyone laid off, and that the game continues in a positive direction, rather than playing Chicken Little suddenly.

o_0

Attorneyatlawl wrote: »

And particularly I don't get why people take this as anything but an opportunity to cross their fingers and hope for the best for anyone laid off, and that the game continues in a positive direction, rather than playing Chicken Little suddenly.

Maybe its because we gamers have been through this one too many times with developers in past MMO's.

kieso

o_0 wrote: »

Attorneyatlawl wrote: »

And particularly I don't get why people take this as anything but an opportunity to cross their fingers and hope for the best for anyone laid off, and that the game continues in a positive direction, rather than playing Chicken Little suddenly.

Maybe its because we gamers have been through this one too many times with developers in past MMO's.

Yeah we've all seen this same song and dance. But we're also still hopeful suckers and hang around.

LonePirate

Personally, I was surprised ZOS even had people to lay off. It's readily apparent the Communications, Development and QA teams were already empty or close to it so I had no idea there were other people still working there.

LtCrunch

smeeprocketnub19_ESO wrote: »

Pallmor wrote: »

driosketch wrote: »

Since no one has commented on this, why is the writer getting confirmation of ZOS layoffs from Bethesda? Get your stuff together IGN.

Probably because Bethesda is the publisher and probably handles PR for the game.

nope.

Both Bethesda and ZOS are subsidiaries of Zenimax Media. Bethesda isn't the publisher of ESO and doesn't handle the PR.

Incorrect. Bethesda Softworks is indeed the publisher for ESO. Bethesda Game Studios is not of course.

OrangeTheCat

Circuitous wrote: »

I'd swear people were looking for any excuse not to keep playing.

A lot of people went on record early (even before the game actually released) predicting it would "fail" aka go "f2p". They claimed all sorts of reasons, but in the end it was all about not wanting to pay the monthly subscription. So yes, I tend to sympathise with your sentiment: people grasping at any straw to "confirm" what they want to believe.

Pallmor

kieso wrote: »

o_0 wrote: »

Attorneyatlawl wrote: »

And particularly I don't get why people take this as anything but an opportunity to cross their fingers and hope for the best for anyone laid off, and that the game continues in a positive direction, rather than playing Chicken Little suddenly.

Maybe its because we gamers have been through this one too many times with developers in past MMO's.

Yeah we've all seen this same song and dance. But we're also still hopeful suckers and hang around.

Well, I'm still a month away from finishing one of my research lines. So I can't just leave now.

Attorneyatlawl

o_0 wrote: »

Attorneyatlawl wrote: »

And particularly I don't get why people take this as anything but an opportunity to cross their fingers and hope for the best for anyone laid off, and that the game continues in a positive direction, rather than playing Chicken Little suddenly.

Maybe its because we gamers have been through this one too many times with developers in past MMO's.

kieso wrote: »

o_0 wrote: »

Attorneyatlawl wrote: »

And particularly I don't get why people take this as anything but an opportunity to cross their fingers and hope for the best for anyone laid off, and that the game continues in a positive direction, rather than playing Chicken Little suddenly.

Maybe its because we gamers have been through this one too many times with developers in past MMO's.

Yeah we've all seen this same song and dance. But we're also still hopeful suckers and hang around.

Yes, and I have seen the same song and dance from people who play the forums more than the actual game before too, complaining that the sky is falling over every little change. Been the same thing since back when I played EQ1 and later when DAOC was brand new... onward. That was about 15 years ago, by the way.

Chuggernaut

I wonder how many of the people freaking out about the layoffs are actually programmers?

Layoffs are totally normal. The company I'm with keeps a small crew (15 developers) year round, and during big projects we bring in contractors to help with the effort. Once the project is done, if we like the guy we hire them, otherwise we left them go. It's been like this for the past 4 companies I've worked for.

That being said the article only says developers are laid off and nothing about what kind of developers were let go. For all we know, it could be developers with skill set not needed for the console release, or unnecessary for the PC patches.

LonePirate

DeadByNow wrote: »

c0rp wrote: »

Lol at all these doomsayers. The article states ZERO information about who or what they did. For all we know...they let 50 people go who speak French and work in CS.

When devs and execs start losing jobs and a f2p business model is announced, thats when I will start worrying.

Everyone said this game would be f2p within 6 months. That didnt happen now did it?

It hasn't been 6 months.

Six months will be here on September 30. Unless they make an announcement in the next 27 days, I'd say we are good.

LtCrunch

kitsinni wrote: »

Tandor wrote: »

kitsinni wrote: »

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

kitsinni wrote: »

I mean when you are behind on console release, have almost an entire game overhaul planned and plan to expand to international territories why wouldn't it be normal to lay off staff?

Depends on the Departments. Do you need 300 English Speaking CS reps for a Japanese release? Or would you let go 300 English speakers and hire 300 Japanese speakers? They have no plans to fully overhaul the game. So yeah it can be normal.

The champion system is about as close to an overhaul as you can get without quite crossing the line. No softcaps, no vet levels, all VR gear changed to level 50, changed set bonuses, changed mats for crafting, changed enchanting, changed alchemy, changed provisioning, change to every crafting profession, changed skills, changed passives and an entire new set of passives. How much is left that isn't being changed?

The rest of the game that isn't related to veteran/champion levels?

There's some other tweaking to other parts of the game but that is standard for any MMO as such a game is constantly evolving, and not one that is ever "finished" (which makes a mockery of those whose sole aim is to "finish" it).

How much of the "rest of the game" isn't related to champion system? I guess horses, some of the cities but even that will change a lot with the Justice system. I guess the art is the same but as far as the combat system I don't see a single part that won't change in some way except for some of the 1-49 play but a lot of that will change with changes to soft caps, passives, skills and sets.

The champion system will not impact the 1-49 portion of the game at all, the champion system doesn't unlock to a character until they are level 50.

Elsonso

Vast parts of Elder Scrolls Online are done and finished. It takes more people to write these things than to maintain them. People here in the forum pick apart various things that are not working, but the game is considerably larger than what needs fixing or changing.

As sad as it is that people get laid off, the bright side for customers is that it is an indication that the console work is done now. There is always a point where development ends and they start moving people off projects and I would expect them to scale back the ESO project once the console work starts to wrap up.

Bethesda Game Studios (TES, Fallout, etc) has more than one project in the pipeline, so people can move to a new project with the studio when one closes up. ZOS is more of a one-horse shop, so there is not another project to move on to.

I am sure that the ESO team members that were laid off are a very talented and skilled group of people. Hopefully they will have no trouble picking up something new to work on. My sincere wishes for a bright future for each of them.

snowmanflvb14_ESO

if you watch the IGN video you will see that all their information is from around April. They talk about the possible delay of the console game from June and such. They provide no knew information about any layoffs. The ones they do talk about happen months ago with the temp jobs whose contracts had expired.

Attorneyatlawl

Chuggernaut wrote: »

I wonder how many of the people freaking out about the layoffs are actually programmers?

Layoffs are totally normal. The company I'm with keeps a small crew (15 developers) year round, and during big projects we bring in contractors to help with the effort. Once the project is done, if we like the guy we hire them, otherwise we left them go. It's been like this for the past 4 companies I've worked for.

That being said the article only says developers are laid off and nothing about what kind of developers were let go. For all we know, it could be developers with skill set not needed for the console release, or unnecessary for the PC patches.

I'm a programmer! Oh, but wait, I wasn't complaining about normal project management at a company I don't even work at or do business with except as a game subscriber.

charley222

Talrenos wrote: »

o_0 wrote: »

http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/03/the-elder-scrolls-online-developer-suffers-layoffs

They need to layoff the following people:

The guy that thought the guild auction houses would be a great idea.
The guy the created the werewolf system.
The guy that developed the phasing system without considering grouping.
The guy that made every item, spell and ability work on magika only.
The guy that said 'Mundus stones are fixed now'
The guy that said 'Mundus stones are actually fixed now'
The guy that created the account wide bank system

I could go on.....and on....and on.....

your funny and also say the true lol

ers101284b14_ESO

snowmanflvb14_ESO wrote: »

if you watch the IGN video you will see that all their information is from around April. They talk about the possible delay of the console game from June and such. They provide no knew information about any layoffs. The ones they do talk about happen months ago with the temp jobs whose contracts had expired.

Yeah that was the CS for console release. The rest of the article is talking about todays lay off which seems to be CS and Artists apparently.

Grayaxeb14_ESO

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

Good or bad it doesn't matter as long as we all agree that if Jessica or Gina get laid off we all riot!

Why does everyone forget AmeliaR? I think she has a great sense of humor and she seems like someone you could have a kick ass conversation with.

Obscure

Circuitous wrote: »

I'd swear people were looking for any excuse not to keep playing.

It's easier to just say they don't feel like it or "have a headache"

Let's be real. It's no secret the initial business projections included expected profit from the sale of console ESO by this point in time. They had to readjust all of the figures and put them in line with the new projections and that likely resulted in dissolving a few less vital positions. They projected a June console launch, and ended up with a "maybe not until next year" situation. That's a big kick in the pants to any revenue projection when a product is delayed that severely.

This sort of restructuring is not uncommon... at least, not uncommon for the typical MMO. Though keep in mind the typical MMO also goes F2P (or creates a F2P option) within the first 12 months of release for the same reasons. Not saying that this will happen with ESO, just saying what the market norm is...and think I should point out it's usually those who think they are the exception to the rule who are the reason we have the rule.

wllstrt75b14_ESO

The sky is falling the sky is falling....its business as usual, companies will always tweak numbers based on income to maximize profitability. The obviously let go of positions that were on the cost side of efficiency and not the profit side.

ers101284b14_ESO

Grayaxeb14_ESO wrote: »

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

Good or bad it doesn't matter as long as we all agree that if Jessica or Gina get laid off we all riot!

Why does everyone forget AmeliaR? I think she has a great sense of humor and she seems like someone you could have a kick ass conversation with.

She doesn't make an impression on us nearly as much.....She can stay but be demoted to lunch lady.

c0rp

DeadByNow wrote: »

c0rp wrote: »

Lol at all these doomsayers. The article states ZERO information about who or what they did. For all we know...they let 50 people go who speak French and work in CS.

When devs and execs start losing jobs and a f2p business model is announced, thats when I will start worrying.

Everyone said this game would be f2p within 6 months. That didnt happen now did it?

It hasn't been 6 months.

ESO launched in March with early access. This is Sept. Close enough, stop lawyering.

MasterSpatula

THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING!