The Elder Scrolls Online

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Another round of layoffs :(

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  • Talrenos
    Talrenos
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    Just for making things clear:
    Companies do not announce layoffs if the people being let go are (or were) contract employees, temporary employees, or hired for a term contract that expired. This type of employee knows they are leaving eventually and are not laid off, they merely fulfil their contract or time or finally produce the contract work.

    Employees that are hired and supposed to be full time without any contract and could have that job for the next 20 years are the ones that are laid off. Stop trying to put a spin on the press release by softening the meaning. The only reason these people are being laid off is because the company income can no longer support their employment.
  • milesrodneymcneely2_ESO
    milesrodneymcneely2_ESO
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    ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »
    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.
    God, Jessica. Why you gotta come in here being all reasonable and stuff?

    LOL! :D
  • c0rp
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    Talrenos wrote: »
    Just for making things clear:
    Companies do not announce layoffs if the people being let go are (or were) contract employees, temporary employees, or hired for a term contract that expired. This type of employee knows they are leaving eventually and are not laid off, they merely fulfil their contract or time or finally produce the contract work.

    Sure they do. In fact, ZoS did just that 3 months ago when they let all those CS reps in Europe go.



    Force weapon swap to have priority over EVERYTHING. Close enough.
    Make stamina builds even with magicka builds.
    Disable abilities while holding block.
    Give us a REASON to do dungeons more than once.
    Remove PVP AoE CAP. It is ruining Cyrodiil.
    Fix/Remove Forward Camps. They are ruining Cyrodiil.
    Impenetrability needs to REDUCE CRIT DAMAGE. Not negate entire builds.
    Werewolf is not equal to Vamps/Bats.
  • c0rp
    c0rp
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    Talrenos wrote: »
    The only reason these people are being laid off is because the company income can no longer support their employment.

    The thought their job may no longer be needed is not a possibility eh?

    Games launch and peoples jobs go away. Its pretty much industry standard.

    Force weapon swap to have priority over EVERYTHING. Close enough.
    Make stamina builds even with magicka builds.
    Disable abilities while holding block.
    Give us a REASON to do dungeons more than once.
    Remove PVP AoE CAP. It is ruining Cyrodiil.
    Fix/Remove Forward Camps. They are ruining Cyrodiil.
    Impenetrability needs to REDUCE CRIT DAMAGE. Not negate entire builds.
    Werewolf is not equal to Vamps/Bats.
  • shiva7663
    shiva7663
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    This layoff persuades me to question the ZOS commitment to improving ESO with fixes and new content.
  • c0rp
    c0rp
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    shiva7663 wrote: »
    This layoff persuades me to question the ZOS commitment to improving ESO with fixes and new content.

    Yeah. I doubt any new content will be coming anymore...might as well move on to WildStar who is merging servers within 2 months of launch...

    Force weapon swap to have priority over EVERYTHING. Close enough.
    Make stamina builds even with magicka builds.
    Disable abilities while holding block.
    Give us a REASON to do dungeons more than once.
    Remove PVP AoE CAP. It is ruining Cyrodiil.
    Fix/Remove Forward Camps. They are ruining Cyrodiil.
    Impenetrability needs to REDUCE CRIT DAMAGE. Not negate entire builds.
    Werewolf is not equal to Vamps/Bats.
  • daneyulebub17_ESO
    daneyulebub17_ESO
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    montgomery.luke07b16_ESO wrote: »

    Not being hectic (as you put it) is something to worry about. You don't lay off staff if your game/company is doing well!!


    You've never seen the unemployment numbers detailing the ex-Walmart seasonal employees in late January?

    Edited by daneyulebub17_ESO on September 3, 2014 9:43PM
    This message confirms that you have successfully cancelled your subscription to The Elder Scrolls Online. You will no longer be charged for a subscription on a recurring basis, and your access to the game will expire at the end of your current subscription cycle.

    We're sad to see you go now, but we'll be happy to welcome you back at any time! Whenever you're ready to come back, your characters will be waiting for you, just like you left them. You can return anytime by resubscribing on the Manage Subscription page on your Elder Scrolls Online account.

    Please print this email and keep it for your records.
  • timidobserver
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    I am not too concerned about the layoffs.

    It is mostly about getting rid of unnecessary employees and generating money for the vultures investors. For example, why keep a guy who specializes in dealing with gold seller spam. That problem is pretty much solved.
    Edited by timidobserver on September 3, 2014 9:46PM
    V16 Uriel Stormblessed EP Magicka Templar(main)
    V16 Derelict Vagabond EP Stamina DK
    V16 Redacted Ep Stam Sorc
    V16 Insolent EP Magicka Sorc(retired)
    V16 Jed I Nyte EP Stamina NB(retired)

  • Talrenos
    Talrenos
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    daneyulebub17_ESO wrote: »
    montgomery.luke07b16_ESO wrote: »

    Not being hectic (as you put it) is something to worry about. You don't lay off staff if your game/company is doing well!!


    You've never seen the unemployment numbers detailing the ex-Walmart seasonal employees in late January?

    Of course, but Walmart does not announce its laying off its seasonal employees.... Its kinda obvious there seasonal and the season will end....
  • jelliedsoup
    jelliedsoup
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    Let us rejoice, it appears that layoffs are good for ESO. Thank you forum, you teach me so much.
    www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Ks8_KGHqmO4
  • smeeprocketnub19_ESO
    smeeprocketnub19_ESO
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    It's not like Wal Mart actually pays it's employees anyway. Nothing more than they absolutely have to.
    Dear Sister, I do not spread rumors, I create them.
  • ers101284b14_ESO
    ers101284b14_ESO
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    smeeprocketnub19_ESO wrote: »
    It's not like Wal Mart actually pays it's employees anyway. Nothing more than they absolutely have to.

    Look at LA Noir or Kingdoms of Amalur and you'll see sometimes neither do game companies
  • Varicite
    Varicite
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    o_0 wrote: »
    WylieCoyote1511 wrote: »
    ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »
    WylieCoyote1511 wrote: »
    montgomery.luke07b16_ESO wrote: »
    As said its nothing out of the ordinary you hire more staff during your busy period and let them go when things aren't as hectic. I'm not sure why this is hard to grasp?

    Not being hectic (as you put it) is something to worry about. You don't lay off staff if your game/company is doing well!!

    Or you know you see that you have 5 millions beta testers so you look at market trends and expect around 2 million players playing within the first month and then the market trends and the normal reduction of players. Expect to have around 1 million players left after 3 months so you hire enough to take care of 2.5 million players then let go those workers once the initial buzz dies down and your playerbase evens out. You know...like a normal business would.

    I actually want you to be right, cause I love this game. Would just be a shame if it goes down the pan like many others.

    Well you know, layoffs are always good for any developer, look at all the other games that succeeded after layoffs.... oh wait....

    Blizzard has laid off employees numerous times, usually 5-600 at a time. I'd say they are still successful.

    /shrug
  • Madval
    Madval
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    It's normal. Nothing to be seen here. Move along.
    https://www.youtube.com/user/Madvalll
    http://www.reverbnation.com/madvalrockatanskytherevenge
  • Elyna
    Elyna
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    http://hydra-media.cursecdn.com/dota2.gamepedia.com/a/a7/Sven_kill_05.mp3
  • twev
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    Pallmor wrote: »
    o_0 wrote: »
    WylieCoyote1511 wrote: »
    ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »
    WylieCoyote1511 wrote: »
    montgomery.luke07b16_ESO wrote: »
    As said its nothing out of the ordinary you hire more staff during your busy period and let them go when things aren't as hectic. I'm not sure why this is hard to grasp?

    Not being hectic (as you put it) is something to worry about. You don't lay off staff if your game/company is doing well!!

    Or you know you see that you have 5 millions beta testers so you look at market trends and expect around 2 million players playing within the first month and then the market trends and the normal reduction of players. Expect to have around 1 million players left after 3 months so you hire enough to take care of 2.5 million players then let go those workers once the initial buzz dies down and your playerbase evens out. You know...like a normal business would.

    I actually want you to be right, cause I love this game. Would just be a shame if it goes down the pan like many others.

    Well you know, layoffs are always good for any developer, look at all the other games that succeeded after layoffs.... oh wait....

    IIRC, a lot of major studios (even big names like Bungie, Rockstar, and Epic) have often had layoffs after a big release. It just means that a game is finished and they don't need the full development team anymore.

    The only thing I'm worried about are the console versions. There have been a lot of troubling signs on that front that leave me worried that they're not going to be coming out.
    Ahhh.
    Another person who didn't play Defiance.....

    :)
    The problem with society these days is that no one drinks from the skulls of their enemies anymore.
  • Ragefist
    Ragefist
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    oh boy, here we go again.

    I suppose some people would just love to see the game burn, I suppose its the same kinds of people that watch the blood and gore in news and enjoys it

    ... weirdos...
  • driosketch
    driosketch
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    twev wrote: »
    Pallmor wrote: »
    o_0 wrote: »
    WylieCoyote1511 wrote: »
    ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »
    WylieCoyote1511 wrote: »
    montgomery.luke07b16_ESO wrote: »
    As said its nothing out of the ordinary you hire more staff during your busy period and let them go when things aren't as hectic. I'm not sure why this is hard to grasp?

    Not being hectic (as you put it) is something to worry about. You don't lay off staff if your game/company is doing well!!

    Or you know you see that you have 5 millions beta testers so you look at market trends and expect around 2 million players playing within the first month and then the market trends and the normal reduction of players. Expect to have around 1 million players left after 3 months so you hire enough to take care of 2.5 million players then let go those workers once the initial buzz dies down and your playerbase evens out. You know...like a normal business would.

    I actually want you to be right, cause I love this game. Would just be a shame if it goes down the pan like many others.

    Well you know, layoffs are always good for any developer, look at all the other games that succeeded after layoffs.... oh wait....

    IIRC, a lot of major studios (even big names like Bungie, Rockstar, and Epic) have often had layoffs after a big release. It just means that a game is finished and they don't need the full development team anymore.

    The only thing I'm worried about are the console versions. There have been a lot of troubling signs on that front that leave me worried that they're not going to be coming out.
    Ahhh.
    Another person who didn't play Defiance.....

    :)
    You say that like it's a rare find.
    Main: Drio Azul ~ DC, Redguard, Healer/Magicka Templar ~ NA-PC
    ●The Psijic Order●The Sidekick Order●Great House Hlaalu●Bal-Busters●
  • tordr86b16_ESO
    tordr86b16_ESO
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    Ragefist wrote: »
    oh boy, here we go again.

    I suppose some people would just love to see the game burn, I suppose its the same kinds of people that watch the blood and gore in news and enjoys it

    ... weirdos...

    I don't, I love ESO and I want to see it evolve into something greater. I just wish these haters would sod off if they have nothing constructive to say.
  • Varicite
    Varicite
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    tordr86b16_ESO wrote: »
    Ragefist wrote: »
    oh boy, here we go again.

    I suppose some people would just love to see the game burn, I suppose its the same kinds of people that watch the blood and gore in news and enjoys it

    ... weirdos...

    I don't, I love ESO and I want to see it evolve into something greater. I just wish these haters would sod off if they have nothing constructive to say.

    Haters gonna hate.
  • Srugzal
    Srugzal
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    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?

    Very well said indeed. If the console release is "soon," shouldn't they be hiring in anticipation of the influx of console players? I guess they were hoping nobody would notice that. Laying them off, Zeni, because you got a better outsourcing deal, perhaps?

    Ultimately, the only reason a company ever does an RIF is to save money and make the balance sheet look better. After all, the 3rd quarter earnings report is coming out soon, right? Got to get those numbers buffed, yes indeed.

    Providence Equity Partners, CBS, and our other Godfathers (the whole list is here) need their pound of flesh ROI, and they shall have it, by golly.

  • Armianlee
    Armianlee
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    Varicite wrote: »
    tordr86b16_ESO wrote: »
    Ragefist wrote: »
    oh boy, here we go again.

    I suppose some people would just love to see the game burn, I suppose its the same kinds of people that watch the blood and gore in news and enjoys it

    ... weirdos...

    I don't, I love ESO and I want to see it evolve into something greater. I just wish these haters would sod off if they have nothing constructive to say.

    Haters gonna hate.

    Potatoes and all that.


    We just laid off a bunch of guys where I work... still busy, but the summer rush is done and the company doesn't need to pay a bunch of useless employees. My hunch is that the same goes for this situation. Replace summer with launch.
    Basic circle of complaints on ESO Forums:
    1) Users: Fix game/class/bug
    2) Zenimax Online: Brings servers down and fixes issues and deploys patches.
    3) Users: OMG SERVERS ARE DOWN!!!!!
    4) Zenimax Online: Brings servers back up!
    5) See 1)

    VR10 Sword and Board Templar (Heavy Armour), Ebonheart Pact
    LVL 25 Sorcerer, Daggerfall Covenant
    LVL 28 DK, Ebonheart Pact
    LVL 15 Nightblade, Altmari Dominion
  • Varicite
    Varicite
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    Armianlee wrote: »
    Varicite wrote: »
    tordr86b16_ESO wrote: »
    Ragefist wrote: »
    oh boy, here we go again.

    I suppose some people would just love to see the game burn, I suppose its the same kinds of people that watch the blood and gore in news and enjoys it

    ... weirdos...

    I don't, I love ESO and I want to see it evolve into something greater. I just wish these haters would sod off if they have nothing constructive to say.

    Haters gonna hate.

    Potatoes and all that.


    We just laid off a bunch of guys where I work... still busy, but the summer rush is done and the company doesn't need to pay a bunch of useless employees. My hunch is that the same goes for this situation. Replace summer with launch.

    My company just hired a bunch of useless employees... gearing up for the holidays and all that jazz.

    Obviously the multi-billion dollar company that I work for is going to be filing for bankruptcy soon after we lay those workers off in the spring. : P
  • Srugzal
    Srugzal
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    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'll have sprinkles with mine, please. Treat us like children, ZOS, you gotta feed us ice cream. That's the rules!
    Edited by Srugzal on September 4, 2014 2:43AM
  • ers101284b14_ESO
    ers101284b14_ESO
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    Varicite wrote: »
    Armianlee wrote: »
    Varicite wrote: »
    tordr86b16_ESO wrote: »
    Ragefist wrote: »
    oh boy, here we go again.

    I suppose some people would just love to see the game burn, I suppose its the same kinds of people that watch the blood and gore in news and enjoys it

    ... weirdos...

    I don't, I love ESO and I want to see it evolve into something greater. I just wish these haters would sod off if they have nothing constructive to say.

    Haters gonna hate.

    Potatoes and all that.


    We just laid off a bunch of guys where I work... still busy, but the summer rush is done and the company doesn't need to pay a bunch of useless employees. My hunch is that the same goes for this situation. Replace summer with launch.

    My company just hired a bunch of useless employees... gearing up for the holidays and all that jazz.

    Obviously the multi-billion dollar company that I work for is going to be filing for bankruptcy soon after we lay those workers off in the spring. : P

    In real life that would be sarcasm. But this is the forums and forum logic dictates that everything undeniable proof of failure.
  • Stratti
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    Here are the only bits of information that we can consider to be facts
    1. ZOS is a private company and not required to release any information whatsoever about the game's financial health

    2. Layoffs are part of everyday corporate life and do not necessarily mean anything. In other words we do not have the information to infer anything from the news

    3. We do not know subscriber numbers so we do not even know if the game is a success

    4. They have already developed Update 4 with up to Update 6 planned

    Notice how none of those facts (if i havent missed one) relates to company health or Game Economics.
  • Stratti
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    Im guessing noone read the article - I hadnt . No I did. Here is a very relevant paragraph copy and pasted

    "Now that the game is out and a community has been built around it, the publisher saw the need to "adjust staffing" accordingly, also reassuring that the studio "continues to operate with a large work force."

    "We remain strongly committed to The Elder Scrolls Online, and continue to invest heavily to develop new content for PC and Mac players, prepare the game for its console launch, and handle our planned expansion into important international territories," Bethesda said of the game's future."

    /end thread
  • ers101284b14_ESO
    ers101284b14_ESO
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    Stratti wrote: »
    Im guessing noone read the article - I hadnt . No I did. Here is a very relevant paragraph copy and pasted

    "Now that the game is out and a community has been built around it, the publisher saw the need to "adjust staffing" accordingly, also reassuring that the studio "continues to operate with a large work force."

    "We remain strongly committed to The Elder Scrolls Online, and continue to invest heavily to develop new content for PC and Mac players, prepare the game for its console launch, and handle our planned expansion into important international territories," Bethesda said of the game's future."

    /end thread

    Now inject Forum Logic.
  • Srugzal
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    Stratti wrote: »
    Im guessing noone read the article - I hadnt . No I did. Here is a very relevant paragraph copy and pasted

    "Now that the game is out and a community has been built around it, the publisher saw the need to "adjust staffing" accordingly, also reassuring that the studio "continues to operate with a large work force."

    "We remain strongly committed to The Elder Scrolls Online, and continue to invest heavily to develop new content for PC and Mac players, prepare the game for its console launch, and handle our planned expansion into important international territories," Bethesda said of the game's future."

    /end thread

    This statement exists only to reassure the investors and the subscribers; there is really no information here that hadn't been around before. And yes, I'd say that a good many of us read it. The point seems to be that you accept this press release at face value. But not everyone does.

    I hope it's true, I want it to be true. Call me cynical, but I'm sure the company is counting on many of us feeling that way.
  • nerevarine1138
    nerevarine1138
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    We really are grasping at straws for things to complain about, aren't we?

    This is the first forum where I've seen a companies hiring/firing practices scrutinized. Unless you're an investor in Zenimax, this doesn't concern you. Period.
    ----
    Murray?
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