Following a wave of mass layoffs that impacted an estimated 9,100 workers at Microsoft, a lot of whom have been in its Xbox gaming division, the union of workers at Xbox subsidiary ZeniMax have responded with an announcement explaining the present employment standing of its members.
Immediately, ZeniMax On-line Studios United (ZOSU), which represents workers on each The Elder Scrolls On-line and the cancelled unannounced MMO, issued a prolonged assertion addressing the layoffs and venture cancellations. Critically, ZOSU confirmed that as of at the moment, its members are all nonetheless employed by Microsoft and receiving pay and advantages, although that is seemingly to not be the case without end.
Per the assertion, employee representatives of the union are at the moment bargaining with the corporate over how the employees will transfer ahead following the shuttering of the MMO. Whereas the union acknowledges that layoffs could also be sooner or later for some members, “on account of our organizing, we’re ready to make sure that these impacted will have the ability to depart with dignity.”
ZOSU was shaped simply final December, consisting on the time of its organizing of 461 workers throughout ZeniMax On-line Studios. This quantity included net builders, designers, engineers, and graphic artists at ZeniMax On-line Studios engaged on The Elder Scrolls On-line and the unannounced MMO. Whereas ZOSU nonetheless has but to achieve a contract settlement with Microsoft, its sibling union ZeniMax Staff United, which represents ZeniMax QA staff, reached an settlement on the finish of Could.
ZOSU’s assertion is printed in full beneath:
Earlier this month, Microsoft indefinitely shelved an unannounced MMORPG at ZeniMax On-line Studios, a shock to the 222 ZOSU-CWA builders engaged on the venture. It has been heartening and validating to see our sport talked about within the press and by gamers that may have liked to see the outcomes of our work.
Undoubtedly, a future has been stolen from many people and our neighborhood won’t ever expertise an incredible sport. Nonetheless, regardless of discussions relating to the standing of our employment, the very fact is: we’ve got not but been laid off.
Whereas we perceive that for many of us one thing like a layoff is inevitable, final December each the groups behind The Elder Scrolls On-line (ESO) and the unannounced venture voted overwhelmingly to kind a union and set up ZeniMax On-line Studios United-CWA (ZOSU-CWA). Employee-volunteers elected to characterize the pursuits of our union are at the moment bargaining with Microsoft for the advantage of our impacted teammates.
Whereas Microsoft and ZOSU-CWA discount over how we transfer ahead following the venture closure, the builders behind the unannounced venture stay workers of ZeniMax On-line Studios with full pay and advantages.
On July 2nd, our lives have been upended with out prior discover or communication from Microsoft management and with out clear understanding in regards to the standing of our employment. In gentle of this, our union got here along with urgency, gathering and distributing info and assets to our affected members.
The place Microsoft has did not assist the proficient craftspeople who’ve generated billions in income, our union has stepped as much as present readability and assist.
It’s true {that a} layoff could also be sooner or later for a few of our members. Nonetheless, on account of our organizing, we’re ready to make sure that these impacted will have the ability to depart with dignity.
Extra importantly, the work of ZOSU-CWA will proceed in order that our remaining teammates — the stalwart builders of ESO — can observe within the footsteps of our colleagues throughout different departments and studios at Microsoft, together with our union siblings at ZeniMax Staff United (ZWU-CWA). We stay up for different items who will quickly ratify honest contracts that may assure the rights all of us deserve.
The affect of the huge Microsoft layoffs earlier this month on Xbox particularly was extensive, and stays not absolutely understood. We have since realized that Everwild and Good Darkish are not being developed, and The Initiative has shut down.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You will discover her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Obtained a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.
