Matt Firor, the head of ZeniMax Online Studios, is set to leave his position after an 18-year tenure

After Zenimax Online Studios revealed the shutdown of their longstanding MMO project amid the widespread Microsoft layoffs, Matt Firor, the studio president, has announced his departure from the company by the end of the month.

Via Zenimax Online Studios' account on X, Firor issued a statement expressing confidence in the leadership of Jo Burba, Susan Kath, and Rich Lambert who are set to guide The Elder Scrolls Online going forward.

Although no longer involved with the game, Firor mentioned he would continue supporting it as an enthusiastic player.

"There remain numerous stories to uncover and adventures awaiting," he noted, "and I trust this remarkable community will continue to build upon the legacy."

Firor has led the studio since its inception in 2007, overseeing The Elder Scrolls Online's launch in 2014.

A recent report by Bloomberg highlighted the cancellation of a Zenimax Online Studios MMORPG, 'Blackbird', which had been in the works since 2018. Several employees have since shared on social media that they are seeking new employment following layoffs.

Landon Hood, creative services manager, shared his thoughts on LinkedIn, stating, "I am still processing. My dedication and passion were invested in this company, creating amazing achievements together. It's heartbreaking that it ended this way."

According to IGN, the early development phase of the new MMO was reportedly progressing well with plans to transition into full-scale production. Some team members were transferred from Arkane Austin, which closed in May 2024.

Last year, Firor celebrated a decade of The Elder Scrolls Online in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, mentioning the game was on the brink of reaching $2 billion in lifetime revenue. "It's going great," he affirmed.