Matt Firor, the long-time president and founder of ZeniMax Online Studios, has officially announced his departure from the company, closing a significant chapter in the studio’s history. Firor, who helped launch the studio in 2007 and shepherded The Elder Scrolls Online from its earliest stages to an enduring MMORPG success, will step down later this month.

In a heartfelt statement to staff and fans, Firor reflected on his nearly two-decade tenure, expressing pride in the studio’s accomplishments and confidence in its leadership going forward. “It’s been the highlight of my professional life to work alongside such talented and passionate developers,” Firor said. “I have full faith in the next generation of leaders to carry ZeniMax Online into a bright future.”

New Leadership, Same Vision

Following Firor’s departure, Jo Burba will take over as Studio Head, with continued support from Executive Producer Susan Kath and The Elder Scrolls Online Game Director Rich Lambert. This reshuffling of leadership comes at a time of transition for the studio, which remains focused on ongoing development and live service support for ESO, one of the most successful Western MMORPGs of the last decade.

Firor’s exit is not occurring in isolation. It coincides with broader restructuring across Xbox’s first-party studios. Microsoft, the parent company of ZeniMax Media, has recently enacted sweeping layoffs and project cancellations across several teams. One of the casualties appears to be an unannounced MMORPG project in development at ZeniMax Online Studios, now reportedly shelved.

A Legacy of Live Service Success

Matt Firor’s impact on the MMORPG genre extends beyond his work at ZeniMax. Before founding ZOS, Firor was best known for his role at Mythic Entertainment, where he worked on Dark Age of Camelot, another beloved title in the genre. With The Elder Scrolls Online, he helped Bethesda’s iconic single-player franchise transition into a robust online world one that continues to receive new content and expansions more than a decade after launch.

Under Firor’s leadership, ESO grew steadily after a rocky launch in 2014. A pivotal relaunch in 2015 as The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited shifted the game to a buy-to-play model, removing its subscription requirement and setting the stage for a major turnaround. From there, the game thrived, with major expansions like Morrowind, Summerset, and Necrom consistently bringing in new players.

What’s Next for ZeniMax Online?

While Firor’s departure is significant, ZeniMax Online Studios appears committed to maintaining momentum. With The Elder Scrolls Online still thriving and a strong leadership team in place, the studio’s core project remains in steady hands. However, the cancellation of the unannounced MMORPG project may shift ZOS’s development roadmap and resource allocation moving forward.

As for Firor, his future plans have yet to be announced, but industry watchers will no doubt keep an eye on what he chooses to do next. With decades of experience and a reputation as one of the genre’s foundational figures, his next move whether it be a new studio, advisory role, or even retirement will be closely followed.