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After almost 20 years, ZeniMax Online Studios President Matt Firor has announced his resignation, effective later this month. Although his social media post does not mention the recent mass layoffs at Microsoft, the timing is striking.

The message Matt Firor shared on X, among other places, is totally optimistic. The studio and The Elder Scrolls Online will be in ‘great hands,’ according to the outgoing president. He specifically mentions Studio Head Jo Burba, Executive Producer Susan Kath and Game Director Rich Lambert. Together, these three are responsible for some of the greatest ideas in the game and will certainly continue to create expansions that will make everyone proud in the future.

"While I won't be working on the game anymore, I will be cheering you on and adding to the thousands of hours I've already spend in-game", Firor writes. 

Contrary to what might have been expected, Firor does not address the mass layoffs currently taking place at Microsoft, which are also affecting numerous employees in the gaming division. After days of rumours, more and more details are now emerging about which projects have been cancelled and which teams are affected. The timing suggests that Firor's departure is also linked to the cost-cutting measures, although there is no confirmation of this and there is unlikely to be any.

Microsoft itself has said very little to the public. The Seattle Times, based at Microsoft's headquarters, quotes a Microsoft spokeswoman confirming the layoffs. Internal memos from Xbox boss Phil Spencer, among others, have been leaked to various US media outlets. However, the primary source of information on which locations are affected remains statements made by the employees most affected on social media.

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Matt Firor Hands Over ZeniMax Online Studios to Jo Burba, Susan Kat and Rich Lambert