The impact ofMicrosoft’s latest round of layoffsis still being felt. Around 9,000 positions were directly affected, withfurther job cuts at other studios taking placeasXboxcancels deals with third parties. However, there is one team that is clinging on a little longer, and it’s all because they unionised.
Zenimax Online Studioswas one of the many Xbox-owned studios caught up in the layoffs. These job cuts also came alongsidean unannounced MMO being cancelled, so we won’t see what theElder Scrolls Onlineteam had been cooking up after all this time. And yet, developers who worked on the MMO have not actually been laid off yet, as they are in the process of negotiating their exits with Xbox.
Elder Scrolls Online Studio Might Be Able To Reduce The Number Of Layoffs, Thanks To Their Union
As spotted byPC Gamer, ZOS United-CWA - a union representing Zenimax Online devs - has issued a statement, making its stance on these layoffs clear, while also explaining that they are yet to leave the studio.
“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 statement reads. “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.
“Undoubtedly, a future has been stolen from many of us and our community will never experience an amazing game. However, despite discussions regarding the status of our employment, the fact is: we have not yet been laid off.”
The statement goes on to say that “something like a layoff is inevitable”, so there will still be job losses. However, union reps are in negotiations now, so there is a chance that either the number of job cuts is reduced, or the affected devs leave with better deals than they would have otherwise.
The union encourages developers at other Microsoft-owned studios to unionise, as they outline the benefits. “Where Microsoft has failed to support the talented craftspeople who have generated billions in revenue, our union has stepped up to provide clarity and support,” they say. “It is true that a layoff may be in the future for some of our members. However, as a result of our organizing, we are able to ensure that those impacted will be able to depart with dignity.”
At the very least, the layoffs here were not an automatic process. We will have to wait and see if this can save some jobs - and inspire devs at other studios to make the same leap that the Zenimax team had.
