Matt Firor is resigning as President of Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios. His departure is a result of Microsoft’s recent layoffs that have affected several subsidiaries, alongside cancellations of various projects. Despite these changes, development for The Elder Scrolls Online will persist without Firor’s guidance, who is one of the studio’s founders.

As the layoffs were announced, it was revealed that an unexplored MMO project, codenamed Project Blackbird, had been terminated after being in the works since 2018. Though Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed this, it has been reported that ZeniMax Online is undergoing significant restructuring.

Firor’s resignation statement was made public on July 2. It appears he is not the only one facing job insecurity as Microsoft has plans to eliminate up to 9,000 positions across various sectors, with possible deeper cuts in ZeniMax and Bethesda. However, some key figures like Rich Lambert and Susan Kath are expected to remain in their roles, suggesting that the essentials of the project may not be affected.

Firor had ambitious plans for ZeniMax Online, including working towards a crossplay feature for The Elder Scrolls Online, but it remains uncertain how the layoffs will modify existing development schedules. With Project Blackbird shelving, ZeniMax may shift its focus back toward established titles like The Elder Scrolls.