ZeniMax Online Studios' Matt Firor to Leave After 18-Year Tenure

Matt Firor, president of Zenimax Online Studios, has announced his departure from the company later this month, following the cancellation of the studio's long-in-development MMO as part of Microsoft's recent layoffs. In a statement, Firor expressed confidence that the studio and The Elder Scrolls Online are 'in great hands' under the new leadership of Jo Burba, Susan Kath, and Rich Lambert. Firor, who has led the studio since its inception in 2007, will no longer be working on the game but will continue to support the community. The studio, known for The Elder Scrolls Online, had been working on a new MMORPG codenamed 'Blackbird' since 2018, which has now been cancelled, resulting in layoffs for many staff members. Firor reflected on his time at the studio, saying 'there are many more stories to be told, adventures to be had,' and expressed his gratitude to the community. The cancellation of the new MMO has left many in the gaming industry shocked, with some staff members taking to social media to express their disappointment and heartbreak.