Virtuos, The Studio Behind Oblivion Remastered, Is Reportedly Laying Off Staff

Virtuos, nan workplace that developed The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, is reportedly laying disconnected 7 percent of its staff, aliases astir 300 employees, according to Gauthier Andres, a newsman and co-founder astatine Origami. The workplace has provided support connected a number of ample crippled projects — including a caller spot for Cyberpunk 2077 — and employs complete 4,200 group crossed nan US, Europe and Asia.

The brunt of nan layoffs are happening to Virtuos labor successful China, wherever Andres reports that astir 200 positions are being eliminated. Virtuos' teams successful France, who were chiefly responsible for nan astonishment merchandise of Oblivion Remastered back successful April, are besides expected to beryllium impacted.

Besides reviving Bethesda classics, Virtuos has contributed activity to nan upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and respective ongoing unrecorded work games, for illustration Dune: Awakening and Sea of Thieves. Nothing astir nan company's output aliases nan captious reception of its games would propose it needs to behaviour layoffs, but that reflects nan existent precarious authorities of nan games industry. Even having theoretically dependable activity doing post-release support and crippled remasters isn't enough.

Virtuos' layoffs follows nan sweeping cuts Microsoft made to its Xbox division successful early July. Microsoft reportedly cancelled games, for illustration Rare's long-in-development Everwild, and shutdown full studios, for illustration The Initiative. Romero Games, which had an unannounced backing deal pinch Microsoft, was besides forced to cancel its existent project, though it hopes to find a caller publishing partner.