Bethesda bosses 'changing course' after sweeping Xbox cuts
Bethesda bosses say the company needs focus on games "with the greatest potential".
Bethesda bosses say the company needs to "change course" and focus on games "with the greatest potential".
The studio, which is behind franchises like The Elder Scrolls, has been impacted by Microsoft's announcement that 4,800 people are affected by sweeping layoffs on the way, which will include 3,200 at Xbox alone and means the various subsidiaries will also be facing changes.
As reported by IGN, Bethesda has been hit particularly hard by the layoffs - which started on June 6 with 1,600 people across Xbox losing their jobs - and boss Jill Braff has issued a memo to staff.
She wrote: "To be successful in the future, we need to change course.
“We must strengthen our business, return to sustainable growth, and ensure we can continue investing in our franchises and our players.
"I know that doesn't make a day like today any easier.”
Braff noted that the layoffs and strategy change shines a light on "the realities of our industry and business", as well as the realisation that Bethesda needs to operate "from a more stable foundation".
She continued: "To best position Bethesda for future growth, we are shifting from a planning model primarily centered on what's next for each independent studio to one that focuses on our strongest franchises and determining the content roadmap that best serves our players and Bethesda as a whole.
“From there, we’ll align the right talent, technology, and resources across the organization to deliver on those priorities,
"By working more closely across the organization, sharing expertise and capabilities, and focusing our investments on the opportunities with the greatest potential, we believe we can better support our franchises and IP with meaningful long-term potential."
Braff insisted the studio still holds "exceptional creative work, craftsmanship and innovation" in high regard, and they know the "identities, talent and expertise" are "essential to our success".
Elsewhere, Doom studio id Software has also bene hit hard, and co-founder John Romero has weighed in.
He wrote on Bluesky: "I’m so sorry for everyone at id Software affected by these layoffs.
"I know what it feels like to leave id while id goes on.
"It’s a strange and painful thing to step away from a place that holds so much of your work, friendships and history."
Romero also discussed the importance of "digital preservation", adding that the studio's history "is critically important to the history of games".
He continued: "I’ve preserved id’s complete early history from our start at Softdisk through to August 6, 1996, including materials and assets that, as far as I know, id itself no longer has.
"I hope someone is doing the same for the company’s ongoing legacy (the work, code, assets, stories and the people behind them)."
