I am so so sorry to hear about this, I am dumbfounded at what M$ is thinking here. It's pure greed fueling this and I hope everyone who got cut finds their feet ok, y'all are in my thoughts.

You can't make games without developers. CEOs don't do the work, y'all do. Smdh over all of this.

Wow, crazy news on layoffs. Very sad for all being let go. My thoughts, this is profit/loss motivated and probably linked to AI. I guess we will see what happens. Very shocked and saddened.

Well... It sucks that it happend but ZOS was bleeding players for a few years already, so its not really that suprising. Only this year some players started coming back with refreshes of classes and other stuff incoming. A little bit too late unfortunately.

I really dont want to be too negative but when i look at the past 5 years... so much ignored feedback, "knee jerk reactions", keeping the ppl who should be let go, overinvestment in some features while ignoring others... and so much more. It really hard to say that ZOS did nothing wrong.

Combat team for years was pulling everyone else down and nothing was done about that. Like what did they do between U35 and U50? Whole years with no balancing, build diversity is probably all time low, most of the sets are just trash... and im just getting irritated thinking how basic issues with combat are left unadressed for years, even tho there are such simple solutions (at least in my opinion).
Only this years all that mess started being fixed when head of the studio changed...
I really feel like Content team took a loss because of the combat team...

Writing team also didnt pull its weight. Year after year the same story about end of the world. At least side quest were good. Sigh....

I quess i will stop at that. I really dont feel like adding more in this situation.
As the recent changes started making game fun for me again, i really hope that ZOS will be able to pull through this. I know it will be hard and i believe some changes in managmnet are very needed, nonetheless i have hope. Sad the layoffs hit devs instead of managment.

Good Luck ZOS.

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.

Preface: I'm not suggesting that anyone should've lost their job here, but just trying to understand what happened.

From an overall business perspective, I can see why the creator programs and stream team initiatives would be sunsetted. Even without layoffs in the picture.

Outside looking in, it doesn't seem like the best use of resources, especially if money's thin. The streaming space for ESO has never really been as vibrant as other games, even older games. Regardless, the community will carry on. Streamers can still stream, without ZOS oversight. I'd argue it'd even be better for them, just given some of the history.

With story content, it's hard to guess Microsoft's reasoning. The story writing quality had its issues, yes, but I don't see how pruning that team gets us to a better place. People want stories, and even with the criticisms of the writing, there's still people who found joy in them. That's important. And that's what helps a lot of people fall in love with the game, and stay in love with it.

The biggest blow for me is Finn. Him and the other content team cuts are the most head scratching for me. They made amazing content. The dungeons especially were some of the most creative, focused offerings in the game. Same thing with IA and other arenas. Without net new content in that space, I feel like people will run out of things to do. I for sure will. People will tire of busy work and that will impact the bottom line.

I just can't see the rationale. Unless the overall engagement in dungeons and trials was so low that it seemed like it wasn't worth the investment. Still stings, and honestly, that's the biggest confidence shaker for me.

It's an odd decision to put their focus on combat, if that's truly the play. Especially given the game's very rocky history with combat balance decisions. I do want the reworks to proceed, I am excited about them. But if there's nothing new to fight, the reworks are just going to sit there. Just feel like there's no winning for ZOS at this point.

tomofhyrule wrote: »

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 can accept there isn't a plan right now. I don't need one personally. I'll shelve the game for the time being and come back when there's something new to do. If things like Sages Vault and the High Seas event still happen, I'll be in game for those. Outside of that though, I wasn't feeling much desire to play anyways.

There's so much appreciation expressed right now for the ESO devs and my heart sings for being a part of this community. You are amazing for having created a world where it feels so natural to belong and where we learn, laugh, and share awesome adventures. I'm daring to dream that this blunder somehow will be reversed. Meanwhile, I wish for all directly affected by this incredible lack of foresight to find a place where they will be as valued as they are here, and I hope we'll continue to adventure together in Tamriel. You truly are MVPs.

Ive always loved the ESO team! So sorry that you all are dealing with this! Keeping you all in my thoughts!

It is not a good time for ZOS and the other game companies who were gutted, and I hope the individuals affected will be able to find something else.

To anyone who is saying they've cancelled their subscription, or now plan to not buy the Premium or Premium+ version of the Season One update as a way of showing their displeasure with this, I can only ask why you think that taking your anger out on ZOS as a way of trying to get back at Asha Sharman/XBOX/Microsoft is a good idea? It seems to me more like refusing to aid a victim of violence in order to punish the thug who attacked them. Giving aid to the victim does not show that you support the perpetrator; quite the contrary.

Very sad logging in today. Teared up a few times before being able to proceed.

Sorry but I quit after a few minutes as I could not bear to continue playing....

So much loss.

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

It is not a good time for ZOS and the other game companies who were gutted, and I hope the individuals affected will be able to find something else.

To anyone who is saying they've cancelled their subscription, or now plan to not buy the Premium or Premium+ version of the Season One update as a way of showing their displeasure with this, I can only ask why you think that taking your anger out on ZOS as a way of trying to get back at Asha Sharman/XBOX/Microsoft is a good idea? It seems to me more like refusing to aid a victim of violence in order to punish the thug who attacked them. Giving aid to the victim does not show that you support the perpetrator; quite the contrary.

So we should continue to pay for a product with an unclear future just because you say we should? That makes sense in your world I suppose, much like your analogy about not paying for a product being similar to not helping a victim of physical assault.

Another kick in the guts from Microsoft.

I don't play ESO anymore,but was very saddened to hear about these latest lay-offs,it must be very unpleasant for all concerned.

Hoping the remaining members of the team,and those that have lost their jobs can find a way through this.

I have been in the game since 1st beta and have always appreciated what the team has done for the players of this most amazing game! When Microhard took possession I knew that sooner or later they would tear in to what's good about ESO.

Being a webmaster and having run my own online radio station for several years I know what it takes to keep Data Bases running smoothly. I also have know that what ever Microsoft touches it seems to always kill what's good about it.

Once again, over the years I have always had great respect for the team and their constant effort to keep this game running at it's best and creating some of the best stories I've ever seen in a game.

Much appreciation
Rado aka John

Maxxermax wrote: »

The problem is: If there are hardly any employees left to handle server maintenance—at any time of day or night, not to mention during events—then the game will die.

Even AGS has enough people left to keep New World technically running (including several updates even, to push a mostly-done new weapon, improve QoL, and grant players achievements no longer possible or feasible). That game was outright cancelled 8 months ago with a firm EOL date when AGS Irvine and San Diego were closed.

ZOS still has employees (at least half their staff, per reports), and Xbox was very clear they have not cancelled any publicly announced games, including this one. Someone is going to be able to do maintenance.

Jessica also already mentioned on Reddit that “the class refresh work is still planned,” so it seems that ZOS at least doesn’t see this at even maintenance mode yet.

virtus753 wrote: »

Maxxermax wrote: »

The problem is: If there are hardly any employees left to handle server maintenance—at any time of day or night, not to mention during events—then the game will die.

Even AGS has enough people left to keep New World technically running (including several updates even, to push a mostly-done new weapon, improve QoL, and grant players achievements no longer possible or feasible). That game was outright cancelled 8 months ago with a firm EOL date when AGS Irvine and San Diego were closed.

ZOS still has employees (at least half their staff, per reports), and Xbox was very clear they have not cancelled any publicly announced games, including this one. Someone is going to be able to do maintenance.

Jessica also already mentioned on Reddit that “the class refresh work is still planned,” so it seems that ZOS at least doesn’t see this at even maintenance mode yet.

New World: remain until January 31, 2027

"ZOS still has employees": However, I wouldn't stay with a company if my position were that insecure.

Jessica has to say that to smooth things over.

... and ... there is no climate change.

So sorry to hear about this for you all.

wolfie1.0. wrote: »

Vonnegut2506 wrote: »

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

It is not a good time for ZOS and the other game companies who were gutted, and I hope the individuals affected will be able to find something else.

To anyone who is saying they've cancelled their subscription, or now plan to not buy the Premium or Premium+ version of the Season One update as a way of showing their displeasure with this, I can only ask why you think that taking your anger out on ZOS as a way of trying to get back at Asha Sharman/XBOX/Microsoft is a good idea? It seems to me more like refusing to aid a victim of violence in order to punish the thug who attacked them. Giving aid to the victim does not show that you support the perpetrator; quite the contrary.

So we should continue to pay for a product with an unclear future just because you say we should? That makes sense in your world I suppose, much like your analogy about not paying for a product being similar to not helping a victim of physical assault.

I wont say that if you dont like a product that you should buy it. That is a personal choice and one should not chase after something if you dont want it, regardless of that reason.

But please understand me when I say that a mass cancelation of subs and premium wont help make positive changes to the game. If Microsoft and Xbox ceo see ESO as a losing endeavor right at this moment and want to start sunsetting it, then a mass cancelation will provide confirmation bias, and they will accelerate those plans.

Honestly the best thing to do as a player is to wait... wait and see what is said, what timelines are changed, and how fast we get there. That will tell us more about the condition of the game than anything else.

So what do you suggest? That we continue to reward them with our money when they’ve just reduced their work force by half which will inevitably lead to us not getting any meaningful updates to the game in the foreseeable future. What kind of signal does that send!? You talk about “confirmation bias” but these CEOs already believe they know what’s best so if they don’t see a dip in revenue that proves them wrong they will not act or deviate from their current course of action.