Microsoft filing shows total ZeniMax layoffs at 379, with over half coming from Elder Scrolls Online studio that’s lost at least 60% of its staff in the past year
Microsoft’s ongoing restructuring of its gaming division has resulted in significant layoffs at ZeniMax entities. According to a Maryland WARN Act notice, a total of 379 employees have been laid off: 213 from ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer behind The Elder Scrolls Online, and 166 from ZeniMax Media, the parent company that includes Bethesda Game Studios.
The impact on ZeniMax Online Studios is particularly severe, representing over 60% of the studio’s staff reduction in the past year. These layoffs are part of Xbox’s broader “reset” initiative, which has also affected other studios under the Microsoft Games umbrella, including id Software, which confirmed losses exceeding 136 employees.
The WARN notice indicates these are permanent positions, with no separate filing required for Bethesda Game Studios, suggesting its reductions are included within the ZeniMax Media figure. The layoffs reflect Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to realign and consolidate its development resources across its gaming portfolio.
Sources
- Microsoft filing shows total ZeniMax layoffs at 379, with over half coming from Elder Scrolls Online studio that’s lost at least 60% of its staff in the past year
- Hundreds of layoffs confirmed at Elder Scrolls Online studio as devastating Xbox cuts continue
- Casualties of Xbox’s big “reset” keep piling up as the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online has had to let over 200 people go