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After 12 years and heavy layoffs, new Elder Scrolls Online lead says the MMO is “here to stay” with extra help from Bethesda proper and “all-new experiences in Skyrim” on the way
The new lead of The Elder Scrolls Online has said the long-running MMO is “here to stay”, despite recent heavy layoffs affecting its wider organisation. The reassurance matters because it signals continued support for a game now in its twelfth year, with Bethesda providing additional assistance alongside the existing development team.
The studio is promising “all-new experiences in Skyrim”, although the article does not specify what form these will take or when they will arrive. The comments position the game’s future around further Elder Scrolls-themed content and closer involvement from Bethesda proper, following a difficult period of job losses.
In short
- Elder Scrolls Online’s new lead says the MMO will continue.
- Bethesda is providing additional support to the game.
- New Skyrim-based experiences are being planned.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Continued investment in a twelve-year-old MMO could preserve a valued online community and give players new Elder Scrolls stories and experiences. Bethesda’s added support may help the existing team sustain the game after layoffs and keep its future plans viable.
The case against
Reassurances of continued support may not resolve concerns about the effects of layoffs on staff, development capacity or the game’s long-term prospects. With no details or timetable for the promised Skyrim experiences, players and employees may reasonably question how much the announcement guarantees in practice.
Explained simply
The Elder Scrolls Online is a multiplayer video game in which thousands of players explore a shared online world set in The Elder Scrolls fantasy universe. The game has been running since 2014 and maintains an active player community.
The game's parent company has recently undergone significant staff reductions. Such layoffs typically cause players to worry about whether a game will continue to receive new content and ongoing technical support.
Bethesda created The Elder Scrolls franchise, which the online game is based on. How much Bethesda supports the game matters to players, as it indicates whether the company plans to continue investing in it.