An Update from the ESO Team

SantieClaws · July 7

Greetings.

This one she has not visited for a good while. This one set sail for other lands some time ago and now resides in Eorzea.

This one is angry, so angry her claws go up by themselves.

This one is sad. As sad as a ball of yarn in the rain.

This one is also hungry and a bit sleepy. That is normal yes.

Tamriel was home for eight years and now this one feels the planemeld really is nigh - or at least a lot closer than it was.

How can the land live without it's many hearts?

No one can make dinner with only half of the moon sugar. You can stir it round and round in the pan to try and make the dish look full but it still will leave the guests hungry.

This one wishes a safe journey to all those who now must seek other safe shores for themselves. May the bright moons always, always light your travels.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

shosho86 · July 7

Genuinely heartbroken to hear the news. My heart goes out to everyone who has just had the rug pulled from under them at Zos and all tge other studios affected. Thank you to each and every one of you for all your hard work over the years. Thank you for giving me a game that has been part of my life since beta. Im genuinely worried about the evolving gaming landscape and what the future hold, the news never seems to be good. I wish only the best for everyone affected, goodbye guys x

cyberjanet · July 7

Is this the first time in history that a new update has been launched on such a downer? I can't even ask what Microsoft were thinking, because they clearly weren't. I hope you can all find more appreciative employers, and quickly.

Firstmep · July 7

Thalmar wrote: »

I really feel for many who lost their job, especially for Gina Bruno, but from my perspective it was expected...

The last year has been so chaotic, hectic and confusing. ESO team needed to decide who is their audience. They needed a plan, instead trying to make every type of player happy, go for their own core audience. Devs felt so over the place, kind of lost...

These layoffs have nothing to do with how the team performed. Microsoft is looking to save a buck, hence why they're laying off a lot of probably well paid senior staff.
Also the people who got fired weren't the ones making decisions about esos business model or content cadence in the first place.

Haenk · July 7

Firstmep wrote: »

Thalmar wrote: »

Microsoft is looking to save a buck

I'd say, more likely "Microsoft is looking to make a buck" is our future direction. I.e. milk the players, for less content.
Expect more "premium double plus" subscriptions incoming, for more shiny items.
This is just a pure business decision - "story content" as such has a way lower immediate ROI than "bling bling content", requiring very little effort (manpower, time and resources). Unfortunately, the long term ROI is going to suffer - a lot. Paying players will leave very soon, when no new content is released, aka being fed up with the tenth restyled Senche, asking 40 bucks for this cosmetic item.
Maybe this *is* intentional, to run ESO into grounds, without losing reputation. I don't know.

Digielf · July 7

Hi,

I read the news yesterday.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has helped build and support this amazing game over the years.

I’ve been part of the ESO community for many years now, and it has become much more than just a game to me. It’s a world I’ve shared with friends, created memories in, and enjoyed countless adventures.

I sincerely hope the journey will continue for many years to come.

Thank you all, and I wish the very best to everyone affected.p

CAB_Life · July 7

First off my condolences to all those who lost their jobs. I can’t imagine what that feels like in an already turbulent economy. Second, and focusing on the game itself: finishing the class reworks should be priority number one or the whole game—and community, and future suffers. There is an understandable concern now that this will never be completed on a reasonable timeline or at all. I hope this is something they address when they reach out to the community after discussing the new roadmap internally.

Regardless, wishing those affected all the best.

baratron · July 7

Mizael wrote: »

I can't believe Carrie and Kira got fired aswell, xbox management doesn't know *** about this game

Ah hell, has Kira been confirmed to have got the axe too?

How can people get laid off immediately after finishing massive projects to improve the game for the players? I mean, how

It's clearly absolutely nothing to do with talent or performance.

Faerugue · July 7

Firstmep wrote: »

Thalmar wrote: »

I really feel for many who lost their job, especially for Gina Bruno, but from my perspective it was expected...

The last year has been so chaotic, hectic and confusing. ESO team needed to decide who is their audience. They needed a plan, instead trying to make every type of player happy, go for their own core audience. Devs felt so over the place, kind of lost...

These layoffs have nothing to do with how the team performed. Microsoft is looking to save a buck, hence why they're laying off a lot of probably well paid senior staff.
Also the people who got fired weren't the ones making decisions about esos business model or content cadence in the first place.

@Firstmep - how was this 'expected'? One of the devs was told last Friday they were getting a raise - only to find out on Monday they don't have a job now ...

As stated: the articles that are referred to here state that ZOS 'has to go back to ... blabla, including TESO' - apparently Microsoft didn't read their own memo...

This was way above their heads, both at ZOS and Bethesda. We have seen articles in the news here from weeks ago where it was stated that Microsoft was or is apparently considering selling the game branch - which is what they should have done IMO if they decide it's not their core business.

Faerugue · July 7

Sorry @Firstmep , took the wrong name for the quote, that should have been @Thalmar - apologies, can't edit ....

Llevndryn · July 7

It's heartbreaking. So sorry for the team who did an incredible job over all these years bringing to life the world of Tamriel that we love so much.

Sotha_Sil · July 7

I have never been worried for the state of the game until now. This is really bad news... half the studio ? what ? No... I had been enjoying the game a lot lately. This sucks.

Yökarhu · July 7

This is some hecking news. So sorry for all affected.

So the game has only skeleton crew anymore? To upkeep and polish the aleady made content (incl. Season1)?
There is no way this small crew can create anything new, the names that have been cut is troublesome. Story, enviroment, animation... I can't imagine how it must feel for the remaining team.
I never liked the monetization methods the company have, I admit that. But I have always loved the game and had mad respect for ppl who tried to make it better. RIP ESO. I can't see how it will rise as a winner from this. it is just floating from now on. I am so sorry, guys. You didn't deserver this.

tomofhyrule · July 7

I would like to hear a statement from the Game Director or Studio Director at this point.

I can’t imagine that the layoffs came from the XBox CEO herself throwing darts at a board. Someone somewhere had to use some amount of logic (as misguided as it may be) to decide who got cut and who didn’t. It’s not like it was a blanket “everyone with tenure of X years” or so was done.

Looking at the cuts does make me think that they are suggesting the direction the game will continue in (or limp along, as the case may be). For example, cutting Gina as Creator Engagement manager makes me think the Creator Program/Stream Team will be sunset. Cutting Finn and most of the Encounters team suggests they’re done with Dungeons and Trials. Cutting most of the writers suggests that we’re not likely to see large stories anymore, but we do still have a handful (and the loremaster) for tooltips or small sidequests. Most of the Combat team staying might suggest that the remaining Class Refreshes may be the big new things going forward.

I’d want to know what the plan is for ESO going forward with so many losses. It can’t continue as it did after the second round of devastating cuts in as many years, and I’m sure everyone who survived only feels like it’s a matter of time.

I’m also nervous that Microsoft in general is essentially putting all of its eggs in one basket. I was excited about TES6, but there never was any way it could live up to the hype. And now, that game essentially looks like the keystone for Zeni/Bethesda and its subsidiaries as a whole. I only hope they go in the direction of Baldur’s Gate 3 instead of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, but I already know that one of the main differences between those two games was that one had a lot of corporate meddling and the other didn’t…

merevie · July 7

For those departing, thank you -especially the writers and artists who made this world. You're not replaceable but you've left a legacy.

Big companies are not as bullet proof as they believe -every dog has its day -as Krafton recently discovered and Amazon is beginning to understand. They can be totally out of touch -especially in this case it feels like a Gen Z person was handed a Gen X/Millennial community and didn't process what that meant. No doubt they'll be moved on themselves in short order.

Hopefully you guys can find some smaller indie companies that we can get in behind and buy up the games in support, like Windrose.

Take care.

Athra_Sohlstavir · July 7

I'm so saddened and angry by this action by Micro$oft.

My heart and best wishes go out to all affected; both those that have been let go, and those that remain behind to move forward with a much smaller team.

This will hang heavy over the ESO Tavern event this weekend (of which I'm going to), I'm sure.

FiveStarHunter · July 7

I just saw the news sorry to hear about the layoffs, RL really full of you know what already. ZOS/Bethesda already proven the test of time and will bounce back from this. TES and FO already a household name worldwide!

gary.mcleodeb17_ESO · July 7

Sending my gratitude and best wishes to the developers
As a player who has logged in daily and subscribed since 2014, ESO has become a major part of my daily routine. I'm not a hardcore player, but I love that the game lets me just log in, relax, and try a bit of everything.
Hearing the recent news about the staff cuts has been heartbreaking. I just wanted to join the rest of the community in sending my deepest thanks to the developers who are leaving us.
Thank you for your dedication to making Tamriel a second home for so many of us.
I wish you nothing but success and happiness in the future.

SilverKatz · July 7

Thank you dev group for all these years of hard work and content.

merevie · July 7

Athra_Sohlstavir wrote: »

I'm so saddened and angry by this action by Micro$oft.

My heart and best wishes go out to all affected; both those that have been let go, and those that remain behind to move forward with a much smaller team.

This will hang heavy over the ESO Tavern event this weekend (of which I'm going to), I'm sure.

*The cause of these layoffs is Asha Sharma -she has a long list of reasons over on her X-box platform -interestingly she has particularly removed the jobs of experienced people (she is very young) -and the other thing she mentioned was the impact smaller studios had had on their profit line -and that the new payment system they implemented hadn't given them the cash level they wanted

MipMip · July 7

So very sorry to hear these news! All the best for your colleagues who are leaving, and also for you guys who are staying

ectoplasmicninja · July 7

A "loss of 64 cents for every dollar" spent is certainly a way to say you made a 36% return on investment.

This is gutting. So sorry to everyone affected. Some of these names are staples in our ESO lives and the definition of institutional knowledge - not to catastrophize, but I can't help but feel like I'm watching both my main hobby (gaming) and my main game (ESO) be dismantled piece by piece by people trying to push increasingly unwanted AI and chase increasingly unrealistic profit margins.

The Uninvited · July 7

Nothing more to say that hasn't been said already.

But I want to add this...

Although I have sometimes been quite vocal in the past about decisions that were made, it was always because of my love of the game. I have been here from the start and I hope for many more years to come.

I wish nothing but the best for everyone affected by these layoffs and I hope they all find a new job in the nearby future. We will miss you!

AzuraFan · July 7

tomofhyrule wrote: »

Looking at the cuts does make me think that they are suggesting the direction the game will continue in (or limp along, as the case may be). For example, cutting Gina as Creator Engagement manager makes me think the Creator Program/Stream Team will be sunset. Cutting Finn and most of the Encounters team suggests they’re done with Dungeons and Trials. Cutting most of the writers suggests that we’re not likely to see large stories anymore, but we do still have a handful (and the loremaster) for tooltips or small sidequests. Most of the Combat team staying might suggest that the remaining Class Refreshes may be the big new things going forward.

I thought the same thing when I saw who was cut. Encounters aren't a priority, stories aren't a priority. Makes me wonder what is a priority. Perhaps the refreshes, as you've suggested, but after that? I guess we'll see from the updated roadmap.

I’m also nervous that Microsoft in general is essentially putting all of its eggs in one basket. I was excited about TES6, but there never was any way it could live up to the hype. And now, that game essentially looks like the keystone for Zeni/Bethesda and its subsidiaries as a whole. I only hope they go in the direction of Baldur’s Gate 3 instead of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, but I already know that one of the main differences between those two games was that one had a lot of corporate meddling and the other didn’t…

They're not putting all their eggs in one basket. They're focusing on five franchises, not just TES. My reading of it is that they don't want such a long gap between games. There won't be 20 years between TES6 and TES7. They're increasing investment there so that there will only be a few years gap, like there was at the beginning of the TES franchise. Things really went off the rails after Skyrim so Bethesda could release Starfield and Fallout 4. Even so, it takes them too long to release games, and those gaps will be shortened. We'll have to see whether the games lose anything because of it. I'm not convinced they will, but we'll see.

DaniAngione · July 7

I haven't posted in many, many years... But I never stopped playing with the occasional breaks, I never stopped caring and loving the work you've all put into this game.

This is absolutely heartbreaking, maddening news. I can't really add much compared to all the words that others have already said here, but I wanted to take the time to come and say THANK YOU to everyone on the team, affected or not, for all the joy and the fun you've brought for so many years.

Tamriel is a beautiful place because of all of you. I really hope we won't have to say goodbye to it anytime soon but, if and when we do, I want you all to know you made it worth it.

PS:
Data centers are full of gold, platinum and other valuable metals. Share that with your local skooma-addicts.

Firstmep · July 7

Faerugue wrote: »

Sorry @Firstmep , took the wrong name for the quote, that should have been @Thalmar - apologies, can't edit ....

Was just about to reply then saw the next message xd.

MsGurrl · July 7

I’m so very sorry to see the news of the layoffs. It must be tough on the team, those no longer a part of it and those who remain. The uncertainty that comes and the stress that stems from such a traumatic experience for adults upon whom others depend is difficult to live through. I hope we all fare well after the fog dissipates but the hurt remains.

CameraBeardThePirate · July 7

ectoplasmicninja wrote: »

A "loss of 64 cents for every dollar" spent is certainly a way to say you made a 36% return on investment.

That's not what that means lol. A 36% return would be making 1.36 for every dollar they spent.

1 dollar - 1 dollar spent + 1.36 made = 36% return.

Xbox was losing money. For every dollar they spent, they only made back 36 cents. That means they were losing 64 cents, not gaining 36 cents.

1 dollar - 1 dollar spent + 36 cents made = 64% loss.

shadyjane62 · July 7

I wrote what I really felt about this and decided to delete. I will just say I will miss everyone even the ones I never knew.

spartaxoxo · July 7

CameraBeardThePirate wrote: »

ectoplasmicninja wrote: »

A "loss of 64 cents for every dollar" spent is certainly a way to say you made a 36% return on investment.

That's not what that means lol. A 36% return would be making 1.36 for every dollar they spent.

1 dollar - 1 dollar spent + 1.36 made = 36% return.

Xbox was losing money. For every dollar they spent, they only made back 36 cents. That means they were losing 64 cents, not gaining 36 cents.

1 dollar - 1 dollar spent + 36 cents made = 64% loss.

Part of that was spending 75 billion on Activision. Another was not giving enough time for the new games to come out. Like with Zeni, they didn't have Project Blackbird release. ES6 not out. Etc.