Elder Scrolls Online devs haven’t been laid off yet, but the studio is worried more Xbox layoffs are “inevitable” after their next MMO was scrapped

Zenimax Online Studios was just one of the many studios hit during mass layoffs at Microsoft. Alongisde the cancellation of Everwild, Perfect Dark and more, the Elder Scrolls Online developer’s next MMO Project Blackbird was unceremoniously killed.

Despite massive positive feedback from Xbox executives and playtests, the MMO was shut down. After being described as a “slam-dunk” success, ZOS’ project was sadly shut after 7 years of development.

Elder Scrolls Online devs on Project Blackbird

A statement from Zenimax Online Studios United, the union group behind the developer, responded to the mass layoffs and cancellation of their project with a statement. The union group explained that aid off members “will be able to depart with dignity”.

“Earlier this month, Microsoft indefinitely shelved an unannounced MMORPG at ZeniMax Online Studios, a shock to the 222 ZOSU-CWA developers working on the project,” the union said. “It has been heartening and validating to see our game mentioned in the press and by players that would have loved to see the results of our work.”

With the cancellation of the project, the group said that “a future has been sotlen from many of us and our community will never experience an amazing game”.

As it turns out, Zenimax Online Studios hasn’t actually been hit by layoffs yet, but the studio claims that layoffs are “inevitable” due to the cancellation of Project Blackbird. Some members of the studio have already left after the MMO’s cancellation, but official layoffs have not hit the developer.

“While Microsoft and ZOSU-CWA bargain over how we move forward following the project closure, the developers behind the unannounced project remain employees of ZeniMax Online Studios with full pay and benefits,” the developer said.

“It is true that a layoff may be in the future for some of our members,” the group continued. “However, as a result of our organizing, we are able to ensure that those impacted will be able to depart with dignity.”

The group explained that “Microsoft has failed to support the talented craftspeople who have generated billions in revenue”. While the current round of layoffs have seen the firing of 9.100 employees, the company has laid off thousands more over the past two years.