ZeniMax Online Builds New Universe Alongside Elder Scrolls Online

Last Updated: October 22, 2025

For over a decade, ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS) has been synonymous with one of the most successful MMORPGs in history: *The Elder Scrolls Online*. With its sprawling world of Tamriel constantly expanding—most recently with the acclaimed *Gold Road* chapter—the studio has proven its mastery of live-service gaming. However, ZOS is not content to rest on its laurels. For years, a second, clandestine team within the studio has been diligently working on a completely new AAA IP, a project poised to define the next chapter of the developer's legacy.

This is not a recent ambition, but a long-term strategy that has been in motion since at least 2018. While *ESO* continues to receive robust, full-scale support, ZOS has been actively recruiting top-tier talent to build a brand-new universe from the ground up. This ambitious new project is being developed on a new, proprietary engine, representing a significant technological leap forward from the engine that has powered *ESO* for ten years.

Forging a New Online Universe

While ZOS President Matt Firor and the studio leadership have remained tight-lipped about the game's theme and title, details gleaned from job listings and developer announcements have painted an intriguing picture. The project is confirmed to be a new online IP, not connected to the *Elder Scrolls* or *Fallout* universes. Key industry veterans have joined the team over the years, including Creative Director Ben Jones, former BioWare Lead Designer Quentin Cobb, and new Creative Director Colin Sturges, signaling the high-caliber production values and creative vision being poured into the game.

Navigating Challenges and Refining Focus

The road to a multi-project studio has not been without its challenges. The studio's long-term development plans weathered significant industry shifts, most notably the 2021 acquisition of parent company ZeniMax Media by Microsoft. More recently, in early 2024, ZOS was impacted by widespread layoffs across Xbox Game Studios. This restructuring resulted in the difficult decision to cancel a separate, unannounced game that was also in development. While the cancellation was a setback, it appears to have sharpened the studio's focus on its two core pillars: the continued, unwavering support for *The Elder Scrolls Online* and the successful development of its primary new IP.

Unyielding Support for The Elder Scrolls Online

The studio's commitment to its existing player base remains absolute. The parallel development of the new franchise has not detracted from the scale or quality of content for *ESO*. The release of major annual chapters, such as *Necrom* and *Gold Road*, serves as concrete proof that the journey through Tamriel is far from over. This dual-development approach showcases a strategic maturity, balancing the immense responsibility of managing a beloved live-service title with the creative drive to innovate and expand.

As ZeniMax Online Studios moves forward, it does so as a more diversified and ambitious developer. One team continues to shepherd the ever-growing world of Tamriel for millions of dedicated players, while another forges an entirely new world. The gaming community now waits with great anticipation for the day when the curtain is finally pulled back on this secret project, eager to see what new universe one of the industry's most respected online RPG developers has been building in the shadows.