Major Shake-Up at ZeniMax Online: Leadership Changes Amid Layoffs

Big changes are happening at ZeniMax Online, the studio behind Elder Scrolls Online, as over 200 employees were let go in a recent wave of layoffs from Xbox. Among those affected is Joseph Burba, who has been with the studio for an impressive 14 years. He played a pivotal role in the development of The Elder Scrolls Online since its launch in 2014 and was promoted to studio lead just last July.

According to reports, these layoffs hit hard in Maryland, where both ZeniMax Online Studios and its parent company, ZeniMax Media Inc., are located. Along with Burba, several other prominent figures lost their positions, including executive producer Susan Kath, game director Rich Lambert, and production director Ala Diaz.

Despite the upheaval, there’s a plan in place. Documents indicate that the outgoing leaders will assist with the transition to a new leadership team for the next few months, which will include Nick Giacomini, the game lead, and Josh Henderson, responsible for business operations. An internal memo from the departing team expressed confidence in the new leadership, stating, “We have tremendous confidence in Josh and Nick, the future of this studio, and the continued growth of ESO.” They reassured the team that exciting content updates are on the horizon.

The situation at ZeniMax Online has changed significantly since late 2024, when the studio employed about 461 people. Following layoffs in subsequent years, it has seen a reduction of at least 40% in its workforce, raising concerns about how the studio will maintain its momentum. Kevin Gbolie, the ESO community manager, noted after the layoffs that the focus remains on delivering quality content, and fans can expect updates soon.

This recent round of layoffs not only affected ZeniMax Online but also ZeniMax Media as a whole, with a total of 379 positions cut across the board, significantly impacting studios like Bethesda Game Studios.