ZeniMax Union say they're fighting for staff left in limbo by Microsoft cancelling MMO as part of mass layoffs

"Undoubtedly, a aboriginal has been stolen from galore of us"

As portion of their wide layoffs earlier this month, Microsoft cancelled an MMORPG that was successful the works astatine The Elder Scrolls Online developers ZeniMax Online Studios. Now, the national that represents a fig of devs near successful limbo by that game's canning person issued an update astir the process of warring for their futures.

ZOS' MMO, codenamed Project Blackbird, wasn't the lone crippled Microsoft pulled the plug connected arsenic they fto spell of astir 9k people. Rare's Everwild and The Initiative's Perfect Dark reboot were besides wiped out, with the second workplace being shuttered to boot.

"Earlier this month, Microsoft indefinitely shelved an unannounced MMORPG astatine ZeniMax Online Studios, a daze to the 222 ZOSU-CWA developers moving connected the project," wrote ZeniMax Online Studios United (ZOSU), not to beryllium confused with likewise named national ZeniMax Workers United. The erstwhile represents web developers, designers, engineers, and graphic artists who were moving connected ESO and this unannounced MMO, portion the second is focused connected QA staff.

"Undoubtedly, a aboriginal has been stolen from galore of america and our assemblage volition ne'er acquisition an astonishing game," they continued, "However, contempt discussions regarding the presumption of our employment, the information is: we person not yet been laid off."

The existent authorities of play the national outline is that their "worker-volunteers" are engaged bargaining with Microsoft connected behalf of those affected members.

"Where Microsoft has failed to enactment the talented craftspeople who person generated billions successful revenue, our national has stepped up to supply clarity and support," they wrote. "It is existent that a layoff whitethorn beryllium successful the aboriginal for immoderate of our members. However, arsenic a effect of our organising, we are capable to guarantee that those impacted volition beryllium capable to depart with dignity."

While being capable to "depart with dignity" perchance being the champion result immoderate of these devs tin anticipation for doesn't dependable each that comforting, 1 tin lone ideate however overmuch worse a concern these devs mightiness beryllium successful without thing successful spot to assistance combat their case.

We've reached retired to Microsoft for comment.

Here's hoping that if immoderate of these devs bash extremity up retired of a job, they are capable to astatine slightest spell with favourable exit presumption and compensation. It's the slightest they'd merit following, successful the union's words, a concern that's meant "lives were upended without anterior announcement oregon connection from Microsoft leadership".