Earlier this month, Microsoft gutted The Elder Scrolls Online, with 379 staff across ZeniMax gone. And this is the second time it’s happened in two years. As Harvey and I put it a few weeks ago, ESO’s developers deserved better. The developer, now claiming to be the same size it was 10 years ago (similar to id Software), has just debuted ESO’s new seasonal structure but will have to continue carving that path with reduced capabilities.
Mere weeks after these layoffs, and we’re already seeing their effects. Community manager Kevin Gbolie posted an update on the ESO forums outlining updates to the Crown Store, the game’s premium cash shop.
“To help manage workload, we have decided to remove the Web Crown Store from the official elderscrollsonline.com website on Wednesday, July 22,” Gbolie explains. “The ability to acquire crowns via the website will remain and, of course, this does not affect the items that will be offered on the Crown Store in The Elder Scrolls Online, you will just need to login into the game to view and purchase the latest offerings.”
“Furthermore, for the same reason, the monthly Crown Store Showcase blog will also change.”