Elder Scrolls Online Team Size Same as During Popular DLC

Elder Scrolls Online: Team Size Unchanged After Layoffs

Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Zenimax Online Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, a subsidiary of Microsoft Gaming. The game allows players to explore the continent of Tamriel in the Elder Scrolls universe, completing quests, dungeons, and large-scale player-versus-player battles. Following a round of layoffs at Microsoft Gaming in January 2024 that affected Zenimax, fans expressed concern about the future of ESO. Developers responded by confirming that the team size for ESO remains the same as during the development of its most popular downloadable content (DLC) expansions, such as Morrowind (2017), Summerset (2018), and Elsweyr (2019).

Key Facts

What Is the Current Team Size for Elder Scrolls Online After the Layoffs?

The team size for Elder Scrolls Online is identical to the size it was when the studio created its most acclaimed DLC expansions, including Morrowind, Summerset, and Elsweyr. This was confirmed by Zenimax Online Studios developers in a statement to Kotaku following the January 2024 layoffs at Microsoft Gaming. The developers explicitly stated that the ESO team was not reduced in the layoffs and remains at the same staffing level as during those popular content cycles.

While the exact number of developers has not been disclosed, the comparison to the DLC era provides a benchmark. The Morrowind expansion (2017) was a major commercial and critical success, and subsequent DLCs like Summerset and Elsweyr maintained high player engagement. The reassurance indicates that the studio intends to continue producing content at a similar scale.

Kotaku, quoting a Zenimax Online Studios representative: “The team working on ESO is the same size it was when we created Morrowind, Summerset, and Elsweyr.”

This statement directly addresses fan concerns that layoffs would lead to reduced content output for Elder Scrolls Online.

How Does the Current Team Size Compare to the DLC Era?

The current team size is exactly the same as the team that developed the Morrowind, Summerset, and Elsweyr DLCs, which are widely regarded as some of the best content in the game’s history. The developers did not specify whether the team is larger or smaller than during other periods, but the explicit comparison to those three expansions suggests that the studio considers that era a benchmark for quality and output.

Morrowind (released June 2017) introduced a new zone, a new class (Warden), and a new trial. Summerset (June 2018) added the Jewelry Crafting skill line and the Summerset Isles zone. Elsweyr (June 2019) brought the Necromancer class and the Dragon threat system. All three were part of the “Chapter” model, which are larger annual expansions. The team size during that period was sufficient to produce one major Chapter per year plus smaller DLC packs. By maintaining that same size, Zenimax Online Studios signals that it can sustain a similar release cadence.

No reduction in team size means the studio retains the same capacity for creating large-scale content updates.

Why Were Fans Worried About Elder Scrolls Online After the Layoffs?

Fans were concerned that the January 2024 layoffs at Microsoft Gaming, which affected Zenimax, would lead to a smaller development team for Elder Scrolls Online and consequently less content or lower quality. The layoffs were part of a broader reduction of 1,900 employees across Microsoft’s gaming divisions, including Activision Blizzard and Xbox. Many live-service games have seen content slowdowns after studio cuts, leading players to fear that ESO might enter a maintenance mode.

The developers’ public statement was a direct response to that anxiety. By confirming the team size is unchanged, they aimed to reassure the player base that the game’s long-term support remains a priority. The Kotaku article noted that the statement came after “worried fans” voiced concerns on social media and forums.

The reassurance was necessary because live-service games often suffer when parent companies downsize, and ESO has a dedicated community that depends on regular updates.

Who Is This For?

This information is primarily for current and prospective players of Elder Scrolls Online who are concerned about the game’s future after the Microsoft Gaming layoffs. It is also relevant to investors, industry analysts, and fans of the Elder Scrolls franchise who want to understand the stability of one of the longest-running MMORPGs. The developer statement directly addresses the core worry: that the game will continue to receive the same level of content as during its most successful DLC era.

Common Questions

Is Elder Scrolls Online shutting down after the layoffs?

No. The developers confirmed that the team size is unchanged and that the game will continue to receive updates. There is no indication of a shutdown.

Will there be less content for Elder Scrolls Online now?

According to the developers, the team size is the same as when they created major DLCs like Morrowind and Summerset, suggesting the content output will remain at a similar level.

What DLCs were made with the same team size?

The developers specifically referenced Morrowind (2017), Summerset (2018), and Elsweyr (2019) as the DLCs developed with the current team size.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: a Kotaku article published in February 2024 titled “Elder Scrolls Online Devs Tell Worried Fans That Following Layoffs The Team Is The Same Size It Was When It Made Popular DLC.” The article quotes an unnamed representative from Zenimax Online Studios. No other external sources were used. All facts about the layoffs and team size are derived from that report. The article was last updated on February 20, 2025.