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Elder Scrolls Online

All articles tagged with #elder scrolls online

ESO delays major updates to 2027, prioritizing quality after layoffs
technology22 days ago

ESO delays major updates to 2027, prioritizing quality after layoffs

The Elder Scrolls Online will shift much of its planned content into 2027 after layoffs at ZeniMax Online as part of Xbox’s Reset. Crimson Veldt Trial and the Class/Combat refresh are delayed to 2027, Update 52 moves to January 2027 alongside a new PvP zone Jerall Pass and Skyrim’s Dynamic Encounters called Rimegales. Season One Update 51 is delayed by a week to Sept 28; Season Two remains on Oct 21 with solo dungeons and other events. The Grewmoor Chapter and Markarth DLC will be free for all players, and Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices group dungeons will also become free. The studio emphasizes quality experiences over calendar deadlines.

Xbox Layoffs Rewire ESO Leadership, Casting Doubt on The Elder Scrolls Online’s Future
gaming1 month ago

Xbox Layoffs Rewire ESO Leadership, Casting Doubt on The Elder Scrolls Online’s Future

Microsoft’s 1,600-strong Xbox layoffs reach ZeniMax Online Studios as studio head Jo Burba and several ESO leaders are cut. Burba says the studio’s future is in good hands with new leaders Josh and Nick, while a Maryland WARN notice lists hundreds of layoffs and staff express concern about development pace as more cuts across Xbox are expected through 2027; ESO’s team size remains similar to when it shipped recent DLC, but morale and output questions persist.

Xbox Layoffs Force Slower ESO Updates at ZeniMax Online
business1 month ago

Xbox Layoffs Force Slower ESO Updates at ZeniMax Online

ZeniMax Online Studios was hit hard by Xbox layoffs, canceling Project Blackbird and prompting founder Matt Firor’s departure; the studio pivoted Elder Scrolls Online to a seasonal live-service cadence. Season One has launched, but Morgan Goin says the update pace will slow due to staffing gaps and the in-house engine, with contractors unlikely to bridge the gap. ESO remains financially strong with over $2 billion in lifetime revenue.

ESO Devs Reassure Fans: Content Will Continue After Layoffs As Team Size Returns To Previous Level
news1 month ago

ESO Devs Reassure Fans: Content Will Continue After Layoffs As Team Size Returns To Previous Level

Zenimax Online Studios says ESO will keep evolving after last week’s Xbox layoffs, noting the team is now the same size as when Wrothgar and Summerset shipped and that they’re not entering maintenance mode. The developers at an ESO Tavern event stressed a continued content plan and an updated roadmap, though the layoffs remain painful and staffing reductions may affect pace.

gaming1 month ago

ESO Devs Say Team Now Mirrors 2015–2018 Size, Hinting at More Content

ZeniMax Online Studios says ESO’s remaining team is now the same size as it was during the 2015–2018 peak, signaling that content updates aren’t off the table despite layoffs. At the ESO Tavern event, Jason Barnes and Jessica Folsom indicated a revised roadmap is in progress and that senior institutional knowledge should transfer to the rest of the team, keeping the door open for major updates. The era’s DLCs, like Wrothgar (2015) and Summerset (2018), are cited as proof a smaller team can still deliver substantial content.

ESO Devs Rework Roadmaps After Xbox Layoffs Hit Zenimax Online
games1 month ago

ESO Devs Rework Roadmaps After Xbox Layoffs Hit Zenimax Online

Kotaku reports that Zenimax Online Studios’ The Elder Scrolls Online team was heavily affected by today’s Xbox layoffs, with more than 20 employees laid off and the possibility that as much as half the development staff were impacted. The remaining team says roadmaps will be shifting as they reassess priorities, though community manager Jessica Folsom confirms continued commitment to ESO. Season 1 is still on track, and other planned content (Doom DLC, QuakeCon) will proceed, as Bethesda focuses on its biggest franchises.

ESO Sets Sail with High Seas of Tamriel, a Bold New Seasonal Experiment
technology2 months ago

ESO Sets Sail with High Seas of Tamriel, a Bold New Seasonal Experiment

The Elder Scrolls Online unveils High Seas of Tamriel, a new instanced event in Season One featuring naval battles, underwater exploration, and scavenger-hunt elements, designed to work solo or with friends. It represents a bold experimental shift in ESO’s update model, with all-new content that’s free for players and potentially reusable or permanent if the community responds positively.

Leaked Details Make Xbox's Canceled MMORPG Even More Exciting
gaming1 year ago

Leaked Details Make Xbox's Canceled MMORPG Even More Exciting

The article discusses upcoming and canceled video game projects, including Microsoft's leaked Blackbird MMORPG, Elder Scrolls Online's free-to-play period, Dan Houser's new AAA sci-fi game with Smilegate, and other gaming news like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown and Vile: Exhumed returning for free. It highlights the ongoing developments and cancellations in the gaming industry, emphasizing the excitement and disappointment surrounding these titles.

Elder Scrolls Online Developer's New MMORPG Canceled Amid Microsoft Layoffs
technology1 year ago

Elder Scrolls Online Developer's New MMORPG Canceled Amid Microsoft Layoffs

Microsoft's layoffs reportedly led to the cancellation of 'Blackbird,' a new MMORPG in development at ZeniMax Online Studios, the creators of Elder Scrolls Online. The cancellation was confirmed by senior producer Chris Linn, and the studio is undergoing leadership changes with the departure of president Matt Firor. The project, in development since 2018, was intended to be a new AAA IP, but its future is now uncertain amidst the layoffs and studio upheaval.

Microsoft Cancels Multiple Game Projects Amid Layoffs and Studio Restructuring
technology1 year ago

Microsoft Cancels Multiple Game Projects Amid Layoffs and Studio Restructuring

Microsoft's recent layoffs have led to the cancellation of an unannounced MMO from ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of Elder Scrolls Online, with studio head Matt Firor stepping down after 18 years. The layoffs are part of broader cuts across Microsoft's gaming division following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, affecting multiple projects and studios.

"Exploring Elder Scrolls Online's Gold Road Expansion: Scribing, Q&A, and Official Gameplay"
gaming2 years ago

"Exploring Elder Scrolls Online's Gold Road Expansion: Scribing, Q&A, and Official Gameplay"

ZeniMax Online celebrates the 10th anniversary of Elder Scrolls Online with the upcoming launch of the new Chapter, Gold Road, featuring 30 hours of story content, a new hub city, and the Lucent Citadel 12-player endgame Trial. The Scribing system, a precursor to Spellcrafting, allows players to customize base skills with various scripts, but there are limitations to maintain balance. The Chapter also introduces visual customization changes for existing skills. Rich Lambert discusses the Scribing system, its limitations, and the potential for future updates, while hinting at possible romance options and a second Maelstrom Arena in the future.

"The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road Expansion - A Game-Changer for MMO Fans"
gaming2 years ago

"The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road Expansion - A Game-Changer for MMO Fans"

The Elder Scrolls Online celebrates its tenth anniversary with the upcoming Gold Road expansion, offering a non-linear gameplay experience and a beginner-friendly approach for new players. The expansion introduces the West Weald region, featuring an autumnal landscape and a mysterious jungle with new quests and activities. With customizable character skills and engaging combat, the expansion aims to appeal to both solo and cooperative players, making it an enticing entry point for those new to MMOs.

"10 Years of Evolution: The Elder Scrolls Online's Transformation in the Shadow of Skyrim"
gaming2 years ago

"10 Years of Evolution: The Elder Scrolls Online's Transformation in the Shadow of Skyrim"

The head of The Elder Scrolls Online, Matt Firor, acknowledges that the launch of Skyrim had a significant impact on ESO, leading to radical changes in the MMO's development to align with the new perception of what an Elder Scrolls game should be. He emphasizes the need to adapt to evolving player expectations and ensure that every type of gamer feels at home in their games. The next chapter for ESO, Gold Road, is set to launch in June, offering new content for players.