They canceled their game even though Phil Spencer was hooked, but ZeniMax Online Studios will keep working on its MMORPG while also exploring new experiences.

ZeniMax Online is known both inside and outside ZeniMax Media as the studio behind The Elder Scrolls Online. Recently, the company went through an internal earthquake caused by Microsoft’s latest wave of cutbacks; a decision that cost many jobs and put a halt to the development of an MMORPG internally nicknamed Blackbird. While many would think that after such a sudden cancellation the team would focus entirely on ESO, one of its top leaders has plans to branch out.

We’re talking about Rich Lambert, who stepped into the role of game director after former president Matt Firor departed. In an interview with GamesIndustry, where he discussed the studio’s future alongside company head Jo Burba, Lambert set an ambitious goal: “I want us to be the most successful studio in our entire organization,” he said. “That’s a big deal because we’ve got Bethesda Game Studios, MachineGames, id Software… The list goes on. But I want us to be the group everyone looks to, just like we look to them [Bethesda Game Studios].”

“You look at Todd Howard’s group and it’s like, five Game of the Year awards in a row, a massive legacy and all that. That’s what I want us to do,” he continued. So how do you achieve that with a studio that has only worked on The Elder Scrolls Online? By creating new experiences. “I want to make more games,” he said. “I’m not done yet, and the team also still wants to make more games. I’ve got a lot of ideas. Hopefully, we’ll be able to share them someday.”

Lambert’s plan is not only about satisfying creative ambition; it’s also about securing ZeniMax Online’s future. “I don’t think you can keep going down the same road forever. Obviously, we want The Elder Scrolls Online to succeed, we want it to be a 30-year MMO, and we’re committed to that,” he added. “But if you put all your eggs in one basket, there’s trouble.”

ZeniMax Online Aims to Take The Elder Scrolls Online to the Next Level

ZeniMax Online isn’t abandoning its hit MMORPG; in fact, it already has plans to elevate it further. In another interview, Burba explained that The Elder Scrolls Online will continue to grow with new features, storylines, and improvements. This reflects a philosophy of maintaining the studio’s foundations while consistently innovating to give players the best possible experience.

Source: 3djuegos