The Elder Scrolls Online Studio’s President Announces His Departure From the Company

by

It’s been shared that ZeniMax Online Studios has disclosed that Matt Firor, their current president, is set to depart from the company this month, as announced on Twitter. In his absence, the new studio head, Jo Burba, will assume leadership responsibilities along with Susan Kath in her role as Executive Producer (EP) and Rich Lambert in his position as game director.

In a recent social media post, Firor announced that he would be leaving ZeniMax Online Studios after 18 years at the helm, effective later this month. However, he expressed confidence in the studio’s future under the guidance of the new Studio Head, Jo Burba, along with Executive Producer, Susan Kath, and Game Director, Rich Lambert. This trio has been instrumental in shaping many major ideas and expansions for “The Elder Scrolls Online” and will undoubtedly continue to create a game that we can all take pride in.

Although I won’t continue developing the game, I’ll certainly be rooting for you and contributing more time within its virtual world. With countless tales yet untold and exciting journeys ahead, I have no doubt that this vibrant community will uphold our rich history and carry on the legacy of our triumphs.

Besides Firor, it appears that other long-standing members from Rare’s development team are also reportedly parting ways with the company, including Gregg Mayles – one of the studio’s most senior game designers. According to VGC, this departure signifies the end of a career at Rare that spans over three decades for Mayles.

At Rare since 1990, Mayles has been involved in numerous games, with Solar Jetman being the game he was initially recognized for. Since that time, he’s contributed to many significant projects in the studio’s timeline, such as Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, and Viva Pinata, to name a few.

Alongside Mayles, who has been part of the Everwild project since 2021, Louise O’Connor, another executive producer, is also departing from the company. O’Connor, who joined Rare in 2001, has been associated with the Nintendo 64 game Conker’s Bad Fur Day since its release.

Yesterday, news broke out that Everwild has been canceled. This information was verified in an internal email from Xbox’s Matt Booty (as reported by Windows Central), which also indicated that Microsoft is closing down The Initiative.

In simpler terms, Booty announced that the development of Perfect Dark and Everwild has been halted, along with several unspecified projects, and one studio, The Initiative, will be closed. These actions, along with other internal changes, are part of an overall strategy to re-prioritize resources and improve success within a rapidly evolving gaming industry.

I didn’t take these decisions lightly; every game project and team I choose is the result of countless hours, creative vision, and dedication over the years.

Microsoft, too, is experiencing significant reductions in workforce. Delve into the turmoil surrounding Halo Studios in relation to these lay-offs by following this link.

Read More

2025-07-03 16:11