Layoffs at id Software and ZeniMax Media A WARN Notice filed with the Texas Workforce Commission confirms that ZeniMax Media, the parent company of id Software and Bethesda Game Studios, has laid off 158 employees in Texas. The document, obtained by Game Developer, details that 96 of these redundancies are at id Software’s Richardson, Texas, office. Additionally, 40 remote workers reporting to that location have been let go, totaling 136 roles eliminated at id Software. The remaining 22 layoffs occurred at Bethesda Game Studios’ Austin office. Of the 158 affected employees, 146 are represented by the Communications Workers of America union. One laid-off worker shared their frustration on LinkedIn, criticizing the studio’s “reorganization” as a destructive move that threatens the creative core of id Software. Anonymous sources told Game Developer that approximately 50% of id Software’s workforce has been cut, translating to over 90 redundancies. The QA department, a critical part of game development, has reportedly been severely impacted, with multiple roles eliminated. In an internal email shared with IGN, Bethesda president Jill Braff outlined the company’s restructuring strategy. The email states that ZeniMax Media, which oversees Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, and other subsidiaries, is shifting its focus to its “strongest franchises.” This includes prioritizing titles like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake. Braff emphasized a new planning model aimed at streamlining collaboration across development teams while avoiding the closure of existing studios. A source familiar with the situation confirmed that Bethesda’s reorganization is part of a broader effort to consolidate resources and align with Microsoft’s strategic goals.#bethesda_game_studios #zenimax_media #id_software #communications_workers_of_america #jill_braff
New Fallout Game Reportedly Scrapped at Xbox A new Fallout project, reportedly in development at a Microsoft-owned studio, has been canceled, according to games media veteran Jeff Gerstmann. Gerstmann mentioned the project in a recent episode of his podcast, The Jeff Gerstmann Show, but did not specify which studio was involved or provide details about the game’s scope. He confirmed that the project is unlikely to see release, stating, “There was a Fallout thing in development at another Microsoft-owned studio that I think is no longer going to see the light of day.” The reasons for the cancellation remain unclear. However, Gerstmann suggested that Bethesda Game Studios, which has long been associated with the Fallout and The Elder Scrolls franchises, may have prioritized exclusive control over these intellectual properties. If this is the case, the canceled project could have been shelved until Bethesda could take over development for a new Fallout title. This aligns with Bethesda’s history of managing both franchises, though the company has not officially confirmed any such plans. Despite the cancellation, the Fallout series remains active. A recent leak indicates that a remastered version of Fallout 3 is in development and could launch in the near future. Meanwhile, Fallout 5 is expected to follow the release of The Elder Scrolls 6, though no official timeline has been announced. This suggests that while one project was scrapped, other Fallout-related initiatives are still in motion. The cancellation highlights the challenges of maintaining a long-running franchise like Fallout, which balances creative ambition with commercial and strategic considerations.#microsoft #jeff_gerstmann #bethesda_game_studios #fallout_series #the_elder_scrolls
Fallout Game in Development at Xbox-Owned Studio Might Have Been Canceled; Bethesda Would Rather Staff Up Than Give It (or Elder Scrolls) to Others A Fallout game in development at an Xbox-owned studio may have been canceled, according to game journalist Jeff Gerstmann. During an episode of his podcast, Gerstmann revealed that the project, which was reportedly in progress, is unlikely to see release. He suggested the game might have already been scrapped, though he did not confirm the details. Gerstmann also noted that Bethesda, the developer behind the Fallout and Elder Scrolls franchises, is unlikely to outsource new entries in these series to other studios. Instead, the company prefers to expand its internal team to ensure the games meet its standards. Gerstmann emphasized that Todd Howard, head of Bethesda Game Studios, and the broader team have a strong vision for the Fallout and Elder Scrolls franchises. He stated that rather than handing these projects to external studios, Bethesda would prioritize hiring more staff to maintain creative control. This approach aligns with the company’s strategy for recent projects, such as the Fallout 3 remaster, which was outsourced to an external studio. However, new games in the Fallout and Elder Scrolls series are expected to remain in-house. The journalist also highlighted that remakes and remasters of older titles, such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and the upcoming Fallout 3 Remaster, are handled by third-party studios like Virtuos. These projects are exceptions to Bethesda’s general policy of keeping development in-house for original content.#fallout #jeff_gerstmann #bethesda #todds_howard #bethesda_game_studios
