The Elder Scrolls Online is changing how it delivers new content. Instead of releasing large, traditional expansions every year, the game will now focus on smaller seasonal updates. The developer, ZeniMax Online, has made it clear that this major shift in strategy is not connected to the significant layoffs that occurred at Microsoft last year.
Last July, Microsoft announced a round of mass layoffs affecting over 9,000 employees across the company. This was the third major round of job cuts since 2023. The decision impacted several Xbox studios, including Rare, Turn 10, The Initiative, and Raven Software, and also led to the cancellation of multiple game projects.
Among the projects cancelled was ZeniMax Online’s in-development sci-fi MMO, known as Project Blackbird. This cancellation resulted in nearly 200 job losses at the studio. However, following the recent announcement about The Elder Scrolls Online shifting to smaller seasonal releases, executive producer Susan Kath insisted the two events are unrelated.
Kath stated that the new seasonal approach is not a response to the layoffs. She explained that the team began working on the Season concept at least 12 to 14 months ago. The studio started making changes to the team structure to move in this direction long before the layoffs occurred, knowing this was their intended goal for the game’s future.
She described 2025 as a difficult year for the studio but noted that the cancellation of Project Blackbird could be seen as a positive for The Elder Scrolls Online. Previously, many staff members were splitting their time between the two projects. Now, those employees are fully dedicated to The Elder Scrolls Online, effectively increasing the resources available for the game’s development.
ZeniMax first publicly discussed the idea of smaller updates shortly after the layoffs occurred. In September, studio game director Rich Lambert mentioned that the MMO was in a transition year. The team was looking to release smaller, more bite-sized content more quickly. The goal was to launch these updates every six to nine months, compared to the previous 12-15 month schedule for major expansions.
Last week, ZeniMax formalized these plans. The studio announced a move to smaller, quarterly seasons that will be free for players, starting on April 2nd. Many earlier paid expansions will also be rolled into the base game. This change coincides with the introduction of a seasonal battle pass, which will feature a free tier and two paid extensions.
In a press briefing before the official announcement, Elder Scrolls Online game director Nick Giacomini explained that this shift gives the team more flexibility. He said it allows them to make the game more exciting and invest in addressing long-standing issues. The team can now add features and improvements players have been asking for and update the core game instead of always chasing something brand new.
Giacomini also acknowledged the impact of the layoffs on the team. He said it would not be right to claim the layoffs did not affect them, as they are human and it absolutely had an impact. However, he noted that the team rallied together and remains excited about the future and the big changes being made to the game.
