After the new round of layoffs at Microsoft, a key developer is now also leaving ZeniMax Online Studios. Fans of Elder Scrolls Online can understand this.
Who is it about? The head and long-time developer Matt Firor has announced his resignation from ZeniMax Online Studios. Matt Firor has worked there for 18 years and has been the face of Elder Scrolls Online for many fans.
He was primarily responsible for making Elder Scrolls Online one of the largest MMORPGs on Steam, even though it was never in the “hype” despite its great success.
Here you can see the first season of the new update cycle of Elder Scrolls Online in the trailer:
A Departure Like an Earthquake
Why is he leaving the studio? Although he has been known for 18 years as the face and head of several MMORPGs, Matt Firor today announced his resignation on the official X.com account of Elder Scrolls Online.
He writes there that he is leaving the studio at the end of the month and that the new studio head will be Jo Burba. Susan Kath and Game Director Rich Lambert are to support the new head.
He himself wants to continue to cheer on the team and the fans and is confident that not all stories in Elder Scrolls Online have been told yet. According to his statement, he has spent thousands of hours in ESO and is sure that the community will continue to make the game a success.
How are players reacting to the resignation? Players are surprised by the resignation, although for many it was not completely unexpected after the large layoffs at Microsoft. Besides the layoffs, the new MMORPG from ZeniMax Online Studios has also been canceled. Development had been underway for 7 years and the MMORPG was supposed to become an important player as a AAA project with its own engine.
With the resignation, alongside sadness, there is also some concern among fans about Elder Scrolls Online on Reddit:
- Maximus_Rex: “They canceled his other MMO, so I would probably leave too.”
- Mirra1002: “My goodness. I wonder what this transition will look like… and it’s hard for Matt. Really a big shock.”
- drmstix303: “This doesn’t feel like a warm farewell. Probably a ‘step down or we’ll fire you’ mandate from Microsoft. It’s just so sad.”
- ZombieCrow: “Understandably, if they destroyed my passion project, I would leave too. Thank you for all the great years!”
- JediDruid93: “Layoffs and now the studio head resigns? I foresee a big negative change coming to ESO soon.”
So far, there is no information that anything will change in the short or long term at Elder Scrolls Online, but it cannot be ruled out.
Whether a change in direction for Elder Scrolls Online comes with the new head of ZeniMax Online Studios remains to be seen. What the canceled new MMORPG is about and what is currently happening at the developer studio, you can find out here: Microsoft cancels new MMORPG from the well-known developer studio after 7 years, employees have to fear for their jobs
