Huge Layoffs at Zenimax, a lot of ESO devs impacted

ZOS_Kevin · July 6

Hi all. Just wanted to say thank you for the kindness shown to our team members today. Whether impacted by today's layoffs or not, everyone who has worked on ESO appreciates the kindness and grace for the contributions they have made to the game. If you see folks out in the while or on social media, make sure to share extra love today.

We are working on following up with leadership on next steps, so we'll update once we have more info.

AzuraFan · July 6

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Hi all. Just wanted to say thank you for the kindness shown to our team members today. Whether impacted by today's layoffs or not, everyone who has worked on ESO appreciates the kindness and grace for the contributions they have made to the game. If you see folks out in the while or on social media, make sure to share extra love today.

We are working on following up with leadership on next steps, so we'll update once we have more info.

Glad to see a post from you, Kevin. So sorry that you've lost many of your colleagues.

Major_Soulless · July 6

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Hi all. Just wanted to say thank you for the kindness shown to our team members today. Whether impacted by today's layoffs or not, everyone who has worked on ESO appreciates the kindness and grace for the contributions they have made to the game. If you see folks out in the while or on social media, make sure to share extra love today.

We are working on following up with leadership on next steps, so we'll update once we have more info.

Take your time with info we understand.

I hope you're alright Kev I can't imagine today has been easy.

noblecron · July 6

https://reddit.com/r/elderscrollsonline/comments/1up513m/just_a_players_words_to_the_eso_team/

Think you guys need this right now

rafaelcsmaia · July 6

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Hi all. Just wanted to say thank you for the kindness shown to our team members today. Whether impacted by today's layoffs or not, everyone who has worked on ESO appreciates the kindness and grace for the contributions they have made to the game. If you see folks out in the while or on social media, make sure to share extra love today.

We are working on following up with leadership on next steps, so we'll update once we have more info.

So sorry for what you guys been through, please extend our sorry and gratitude for Gina and the others. Dont even bother with the forums today, just take your time.

Freezbeez · July 6

It's sad; I really don't understand why they do things like that.

The game is awesome, the content is incredible; there have never been so many people on the servers, the guilds are bursting at the seams, the in-game economy is thriving, the events are exciting, it really feels like they care about us as customers, the team listens to us, the few issues we’ve encountered are minor, and TESO’s future seems secure for at least 10 years, if not more.

Why would they let such indispensable people go? I really don’t understand. :'(

Lekjih · July 6

Someone tell them to rehire them right now. Not impressed. AI is not worth it. If the game becomes AI, it'll get dropped.

decaffeinated · July 6

Skeevers and milk drinkers! That's a lot of people who are really dedicated to ESO and made the game what it is!

I am so sorry to everyone laid off and to all who are left to pick up the pieces. </3

essi2 · July 6

Kazajhan · July 6

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Hi all. Just wanted to say thank you for the kindness shown to our team members today. Whether impacted by today's layoffs or not, everyone who has worked on ESO appreciates the kindness and grace for the contributions they have made to the game. If you see folks out in the while or on social media, make sure to share extra love today.

We are working on following up with leadership on next steps, so we'll update once we have more info.

My thoughts are with the ESO team right now, both those who are being let go, and those staying.

It's been an exciting year, watching the changes and getting to see community leaders on stream. I've been really optimistic about the changes in the game, and the way the teams have been working to make the game more fun while responding to user feedback.

Really hard to see this happen just as the dev teams are regrouping for major advancements.

((Mournful awoo.))

Izanagi.Xiiib16_ESO · July 6

Just a fun video clip, best of luck everyone on your new journey.
https://www.youtube.com/live/FoyDXIK3Ejg?si=Z8q2nOp0V8SUqNKV&t=3806

Northern_Mage · July 6

AI might be "cheaper", but they honestly DON'T MAKE BETTER GAMES NOR IMPROVE EXISTING GAME CONTENTS, they can only use what has already been programmed and reuse what already exists.

Creative new ideas, they do not have.

Things that for most or by logic would not be put together, people with creative minds and souls can do.

Get those people back and make more amazing content, that is my advice.

SilverBride · July 6

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

We are working on following up with leadership on next steps...

That scares me.

Tensar · July 6

Freezbeez wrote: »

It's sad; I really don't understand why they do things like that.

The game is awesome, the content is incredible; there have never been so many people on the servers, the guilds are bursting at the seams, the in-game economy is thriving, the events are exciting, it really feels like they care about us as customers, the team listens to us, the few issues we’ve encountered are minor, and TESO’s future seems secure for at least 10 years, if not more.

Why would they let such indispensable people go? I really don’t understand. :'(

Or maybe the game was not that good since many years?
Since years we asked for specific content and updates, the good signs started to appear this year but it was already too late.
So yeah I am not surprised at all by this new.
Each year looked like the previous year in term of content, nothing never changed, 2026 started to be better. I already took videos and screens of my houses/adventures a year ago thinking the game would die soon, and here we are.

CptTekashi · July 6

This can't be real, Im gob smacked ...

Wolfshade · July 6

Honestly, they should think about open a company-headquarter in a saver country and leavin this hole.

Midni · July 6

I was in complete shock and in denial when I caught word of this. ESO is by far one of the best environments in the digital space right now, at least for me, and that is thanks to the talented folks who have been nurturing it over the years, since the first ideas started to take shape. I really hope something happens and this talent is returned to ESO. I can't imagine any dev updates without Gina, who builds trust through presence alone. Wherever the wind blows, I hope it will be like a zephyr for all the folks affected moving forward. Know that all the good that the game has done to folks it is good that you have done, and it is what the world needs right now. You are deeply appreciated and any space is lucky to hold you.

Sin_Arcain · July 6

Thank you for the list. As I have written in an other post this is shocking and awful news, and I am worried for the future of the game without all these amazing people who helped the game come as far as it has. I wish and hope they reverts this against all odds.

SilverBride · July 6

I know some enjoy the new direction they have taken this year but it is the least enjoyable year for me by far. It doesn't surprise me that they are laying off active developers working on content because they already replaced a lot of content with tasks.

I always argued against the "ESO is dying" threads in the past, but now I'm starting to understand.

PainfulFAFA · July 6

I haven't posted on these forums in almost a decade. Only came to say I cancelled my xbox gamepass after learning about the layoffs to ESO especially because of Mike and Gina they have been influential in my ESO journey. Not sure if i'll stick longer thought this game was going in the right direction but not sure now..

SerafinaWaterstar · July 6

Christ, does Microsoft actually have any idea how to run a business anymore? Why buy a games studio when you have zero interest in what they produce?

Knew it was bad when Bethesda/Zenimax was sold off to them.

They’re going double or nothing on ridiculous AI which nobody really wants or needs, and will sacrifice everything & anything to try & make it profitable.

Wish a decent company could take over the studio.

argyro · July 6

This news is absolutely gutting...

Arunei · July 6

Thalmar wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Hi all. Just wanted to say thank you for the kindness shown to our team members today. Whether impacted by today's layoffs or not, everyone who has worked on ESO appreciates the kindness and grace for the contributions they have made to the game. If you see folks out in the while or on social media, make sure to share extra love today.

We are working on following up with leadership on next steps, so we'll update once we have more info.

This is coming from the community manager who claps world first kill for hardcore group content, turning ESO into usual e-sport MMO with raiding. Forcing group content will not make more people plays instead driving all solo players away from the game. You always show up with the positive feedback, here is how some people think about you.

I hope I'm misreading the tone of this, but if I'm not, what an insensitive and awful thing to post. Why are you trying to turn this into a solo vs group thing? Why are you even thinking to imply that anyone thinks the devs deserve this? "This" isn't what "some people" think about them, but it's obviously what YOU think.

Astiron · July 6

I can't believe they let Gina go. She was like the face of ESO to us when it came to communications and streams from Zenimax. I wish her, and all of the team, the best moving forward. But man, that hits hard. And it seems pretty short sighted by the suits.

Thalmar · July 6

Arunei wrote: »

Thalmar wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Hi all. Just wanted to say thank you for the kindness shown to our team members today. Whether impacted by today's layoffs or not, everyone who has worked on ESO appreciates the kindness and grace for the contributions they have made to the game. If you see folks out in the while or on social media, make sure to share extra love today.

We are working on following up with leadership on next steps, so we'll update once we have more info.

This is coming from the community manager who claps world first kill for hardcore group content, turning ESO into usual e-sport MMO with raiding. Forcing group content will not make more people plays instead driving all solo players away from the game. You always show up with the positive feedback, here is how some people think about you.

What an insensitive and awful thing to post. Why are you trying to turn this into a solo vs group thing? Why are you even thinking to imply that anyone thinks the devs deserve this? "This" isn't what "some people" think about them, but it's obviously what YOU think.

This is not all about devs, we all put our heart and soul for this game, I play Elder Scrolls games more than 30 years and I value it more than many. All I see last year they seperate players. pvp hardcores against casuals, pve hardcore against casuals. I never said anyone deserved to be laid off, but from my perspective this was expecting. I am really sorry for many especially Gina, but I am also thinking about the future of my game. Do not want some raider takes over the lead.

SkillzMFG · July 6

This will either make or break the bright future of ESO.

Sadly I am not very optimistic.

Arunei · July 6

Thalmar wrote: »

Arunei wrote: »

Thalmar wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Hi all. Just wanted to say thank you for the kindness shown to our team members today. Whether impacted by today's layoffs or not, everyone who has worked on ESO appreciates the kindness and grace for the contributions they have made to the game. If you see folks out in the while or on social media, make sure to share extra love today.

We are working on following up with leadership on next steps, so we'll update once we have more info.

This is coming from the community manager who claps world first kill for hardcore group content, turning ESO into usual e-sport MMO with raiding. Forcing group content will not make more people plays instead driving all solo players away from the game. You always show up with the positive feedback, here is how some people think about you.

What an insensitive and awful thing to post. Why are you trying to turn this into a solo vs group thing? Why are you even thinking to imply that anyone thinks the devs deserve this? "This" isn't what "some people" think about them, but it's obviously what YOU think.

This is not all about devs, we all put our heart and soul for this game, I play Elder Scrolls games more than 30 years and I value it more than many. All I see last year they seperate players. pvp hardcores against casuals, pve hardcore against casuals. I never said anyone deserved to be laid off, but from my perspective this was expecting. I am really sorry for many especially Gina, but I am also thinking about the future of my game. Do not want some raider takes over the lead.

You need to edit your post then because it very much implies that this was deserved over perceived slights against any given portion of the playerbase. That conversation might have its merits and things worth discussing but it has no place in a topic like this.

cyberjanet · July 6

It is clear that the management does not understand their market. Gaming is not a commodity. People interfaces are very important. I don't think I've recovered from Gaile Gray being terminated from Guild Wars, management there did just not understand. All I can hope is that a proper Gaming company will pick up ESO and even other games I don't play, and breathe the passion back into them. Bean-counters can't run games.

nalline96 · July 6

You know, reading this list out loud line by line is absolutely devastating. Seeing big names like Slavisek, Stark, and Grub, along with Gina and Finnigan, is a complete slaughter of the game's creative backbone. These people just cut out what makes this game great. When half the active content development team gets wiped out in a single afternoon, you aren't just looking at corporate "reorganization"; we are looking at a complete gutting of ESO as a living game. Even Bethesda's got slammed. Corporate leadership was already steering this ship toward a generic grave with copy-and-paste metrics, and now they have removed the actual navigators. And now Folsom is already saying they are "shifting" b/c the remaining skeleton crew has to figure out how even to keep the lights on. It is completely valid to be absolutely furious and disgusted by this. To watch a massive corporation buy up these beloved studios for billions, only to systematically dismantle the human talent that made them valuable in the first place, is a total disgrace. If this is how people who built ESO for almost 20 years are treated, it's understandable if some of us no longer want to play.

dubq77 · July 6

What a sad day. I don't know how you can justify a move like this, with so many talented and integral folks. Axing the Lead Dungeon Designer and the QA team is mind-boggling.