ZeniMax Online Studios' founding director, Matt Firor, who played a significant role in the studio's establishment in 2007 and oversaw the development of "The Elder Scrolls Online," has decided to part ways with the company.
In a significant shakeup at ZeniMax Online Studios, Matt Firor, the president of the company and game director of The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), has announced his departure, effective July 2025. Firor, who has been at the helm of the studio since its inception in 2007, has led ESO since its launch in 2014.
Firor's departure marks the end of an era for ZeniMax Online Studios, a company he helped build from the ground up. Prior to his tenure at ZeniMax, Firor was a co-founder of MMO studio Mythic and spent 10 years as producer on Dark Age of Camelot.
Replacing Firor as the game director for The Elder Scrolls Online is Rich Lambert. Lambert, who has been a part of the ZeniMax team for an undisclosed period, has been instrumental in many of ESO's major expansions and ideas. He will now lead the game alongside Studio Head Jo Burba and Executive Producer Susan Kath.
Burba, who has taken over as Studio Head, joined ZeniMax Online Studios in 2015 and has been a key figure in the studio's growth and success. Kath, the new Executive Producer, has been with the company since 2014 and has played a significant role in the development and management of ESO.
This leadership change comes amidst a period of uncertainty for ZeniMax Online Studios, with an unknown number of studio employees being let go. The reasons for these layoffs have not been disclosed, although they appear to be part of Microsoft's wider restructuring of its gaming divisions.
Microsoft, which acquired ZeniMax parent company Bethesda in 2020, announced a series of layoffs in January 2023, affecting approximately 9,000 employees company-wide. This includes deep cuts to numerous Xbox game studios, the closure of The Initiative, and the cancellation of Rare's Everwild project.
Despite these challenges, Microsoft president Brad Smith has announced a plan to spend $80 billion for AI-enabled datacenters and AI model training in the 2025 fiscal year. This investment is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to leverage AI technology across its various businesses, including gaming.
In a memo to employees, Xbox boss Phil Spencer stated that the platform, hardware, and game roadmap have never looked stronger, despite the recent layoffs. He expressed confidence in the new leadership at ZeniMax Online Studios and their ability to guide The Elder Scrolls Online into a bright future.
Meanwhile, PC Gamer's Andy Chalk continues to cover the gaming industry, with a focus on new game announcements, patch notes, legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill-related news. Chalk, who began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and joined PC Gamer in 2014, brings his passion for RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters to his role as a respected voice in the gaming community.
[1] Source: ZeniMax Online Studios press release [4] Source: ZeniMax Online Studios press release
- The departure of Matt Firor, a pioneer in the gaming industry who built ZeniMax Online Studios from the ground up, signifies the end of an era, marking a significant shift in the company's leadership during the season of 2025.
- As technology continues to evolve, Microsoft, the new parent company of ZeniMax, is investing heavily in artificial-intelligence, planning to spend $80 billion for AI-enabled datacenters and AI model training in the 2025 fiscal year.
- In a bid to strengthen its gaming divisions, Microsoft recently announced a series of layoffs, affecting roughly 9,000 employees company-wide, including numerous Xbox game studios and the closure of The Initiative, as well as the cancellation of Rare's Everwild project.
- PC Gamer's Andy Chalk, a seasoned gaming journalist with a passion for RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters, continues to cover the gaming industry, providing updates on new game announcements, patch notes, legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill-related news.
