Bethesda Game Studios staff report that recent Xbox layoffs are expected to delay The Elder Scrolls 6.
Bethesda Game Studios staff report that recent Xbox layoffs are expected to delay The Elder Scrolls 6. This assessment indicates a significant impact on the studio. Microsoft's broader plan to reduce its Xbox workforce by approximately 3,200 employees over the next fiscal year has already seen 1,600 job cuts this week, affecting various teams.
Union representatives for Bethesda confirmed that "dozens of programmers, artists, designers, and testers" were among those let go. Developers within the studio have expressed that these reductions will have a "substantial and cascading effect" on both the game's production and overall team morale. The cuts spanned multiple disciplines, including a veteran employee who had contributed to every Elder Scrolls title since Morrowind.
Concerns among the remaining staff extend to the potential for increased reliance on contract labor or the necessity of hiring new personnel. Developers noted that onboarding new team members would be a lengthy process, given the proprietary nature of Bethesda's development tools. This situation is anticipated to introduce further delays into the project's timeline.
The team working on The Elder Scrolls 6 described the situation as "crushing" to morale, particularly as they were already operating with limited resources. While no official release date for the game has been announced, staff members are apprehensive that these recent workforce changes will inevitably push back the development schedule.
The Elder Scrolls 6 was initially announced at E3 in 2018, eight years ago. Todd Howard, the game director, has previously acknowledged the long wait, even suggesting players "pretend we didn't announce it." He also indicated that the game's release was still "a while" off, adding to the existing uncertainty surrounding its development.
