ZeniMax Union Responds to Microsoft Canceling Unannounced MMO: ‘A Future Has Been Stolen From Us’

Following a wave of mass layoffs that impacted an estimated 9,100 staff at Microsoft, a lot of whom have been in its Xbox gaming division, the union of staff at Xbox subsidiary ZeniMax have responded with an announcement explaining the present employment standing of its members.

Immediately, ZeniMax On-line Studios United (ZOSU), which represents staff on each The Elder Scrolls On-line and the cancelled unannounced MMO, issued a prolonged assertion addressing the layoffs and undertaking cancellations. Critically, ZOSU confirmed that as of as we speak, its members are all nonetheless employed by Microsoft and receiving pay and advantages, although that is doubtless to not be the case perpetually.

Per the assertion, employee representatives of the union are presently bargaining with the corporate over how the employees will transfer ahead following the shuttering of the MMO. Whereas the union acknowledges that layoffs could also be sooner or later for some members, “on account of our organizing, we’re in a position to make sure that these impacted will have the ability to depart with dignity.”

ZOSU was fashioned simply final December, consisting on the time of its organizing of 461 staff throughout ZeniMax On-line Studios. This quantity included internet builders, designers, engineers, and graphic artists at ZeniMax On-line Studios engaged on The Elder Scrolls On-line and the unannounced MMO. Whereas ZOSU nonetheless has but to succeed in a contract settlement with Microsoft, its sibling union ZeniMax Employees United, which represents ZeniMax QA employees, reached an settlement on the finish of Might.

ZOSU’s assertion is revealed in full under:

Earlier this month, Microsoft indefinitely shelved an unannounced MMORPG at ZeniMax On-line Studios, a shock to the 222 ZOSU-CWA builders engaged on the undertaking. It has been heartening and validating to see our sport talked about within the press and by gamers that might have liked to see the outcomes of our work.

Undoubtedly, a future has been stolen from many people and our neighborhood won’t ever expertise an incredible sport. Nonetheless, regardless of discussions relating to the standing of our employment, the very fact is: now we have not but been laid off.

Whereas we perceive that for many of us one thing like a layoff is inevitable, final December each the groups behind The Elder Scrolls On-line (ESO) and the unannounced undertaking voted overwhelmingly to type a union and set up ZeniMax On-line Studios United-CWA (ZOSU-CWA). Employee-volunteers elected to signify the pursuits of our union are presently bargaining with Microsoft for the advantage of our impacted teammates.

Whereas Microsoft and ZOSU-CWA cut price over how we transfer ahead following the undertaking closure, the builders behind the unannounced undertaking stay staff of ZeniMax On-line Studios with full pay and advantages.

On July 2nd, our lives have been upended with out prior discover or communication from Microsoft management and with out clear understanding in regards to the standing of our employment. In mild of this, our union got here along with urgency, gathering and distributing data and assets to our affected members.

The place Microsoft has didn’t assist the gifted craftspeople who’ve generated billions in income, our union has stepped as much as present readability and assist.

It’s true {that a} layoff could also be sooner or later for a few of our members. Nonetheless, on account of our organizing, we’re in a position to make sure that these impacted will have the ability to depart with dignity.

Extra importantly, the work of ZOSU-CWA will proceed in order that our remaining teammates — the stalwart builders of ESO — can comply with within the footsteps of our colleagues throughout different departments and studios at Microsoft, together with our union siblings at ZeniMax Employees United (ZWU-CWA). We stay up for different items who will quickly ratify honest contracts that may assure the rights all of us deserve.

The affect of the large Microsoft layoffs earlier this month on Xbox particularly was vast, and stays not absolutely understood. We have since discovered that Everwild and Excellent Darkish are now not being developed, and The Initiative has shut down.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You’ll find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Obtained a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.