Reports of mass layoffs at ZeniMax Online's Galway location are not quite what we believed.  GameInformer gives us more recent details.

My apologies for the error, and thanks to jhwisner for helping me correct it.

Earlier today, reports emerged that Zenimax had laid off approximately 300 employees at its Galway, Ireland location. We have received a statement from the publisher correcting significant inaccuracies in the report and giving us details of a scaleback that occurred months ago.

In a statement, the company says that it reduced staff by a much smaller margin in August. The location, which the Connacht Tribune (a local news outlet in Ireland) reported was “effectively shut down,” is still in operation.

“Following the successful console launch of The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited in June, we have a thriving console and PC online community,” a Zenimax representative told us via email. “We adjusted customer support levels in mid-August by reducing staffing by approximately 50 people to reflect the game’s stability and the needs of our players. This is a normal practice.  We have been diligently working with the IDA, and the employees affected by this decision since the summer. We are disappointed by the inaccuracies in the report of the Connacht Tribune.”

The location in question serves as a customer service center for the European territory. Zenimax received financial consideration from the Ireland Industrial Development Agency (IDA) when the facility was opened in March 2011, explaining why the publisher was working with the agency to assist laid off employees.

More information.

ZeniMax Online's Galway Studio just laid off 300 staff, leaving only a skeleton crew.

Around 300 workers have been dealt a major blow ahead of the Christmas at multinational software company ZeniMax Online Studios, after the business effectively shut down its base in Galway.

...An industry source said: "Around half-a-dozen employees remain, to keep things ticking over, but things have been wound down there. It may be the case that things may pick up again if they have another [game] release."

More information.

ZeniMax Online sent us the following PR:

ZENIMAX ONLINE STUDIOS ANNOUNCES MAJOR HIRING INITIATIVE

 

Hunt Valley, MD – March 09, 2009 – ZeniMax Online Studios, a division of ZeniMax Media Inc., is pleased to announce they have entered their second phase of hiring.    ZeniMax Online is looking for talent in all facets of game development. 

“We’ve added some great people to the team so far and continue to look for experienced, talented developers in all areas to join the team and help us create the next great MMOG,” says Matt Firor, president of ZeniMax Online Studios. 

As part of the ZeniMax Media family, including its game development sister company, Bethesda Softworks, ZeniMax Online Studios has a wealth of experience.  Located in Hunt Valley, MD, ZeniMax Online Studios was founded in 2007 and has grown to a team of over 60.  Finding additional, experienced team members to develop a world class MMOG is a top priority. 

“We recently filled two critical new director-level positions,” continues Firor.  “Steve Escalante and Rich Barham bring experience to marketing and customer service - two critical operations for our company.  Their addition to the management team of industry vets exemplifies the quality hires we are striving to identify.”

Marketing Director Steve Escalante is a ten year industry vet who has launched two MMOs in the marketplace and brings specialized marketing and business development skills to ZeniMax Online.  Customer Service Director Rich Barham, formerly with Blizzard Entertainment, was a key member of the team setting up customer service centers for World of Warcraft in North America and Europe, as well as a major contributor to the management of customer care, retention and in-game support needs. 

“In an economy that has raised stability questions for people around the globe, it is a comfort to join the ZeniMax family with the support and financial backing they provide,” says Rich Barham.  “The spirit, experience and passion of the team are compelling.”

ZeniMax Online sent us a note to say they've launched an official site, although they note it will be quite some time before they release product details.  The banner art looks a little post-apoc wasteland to me but, of course, they've licensed Fallout Online back to Interplay at least until that fails to meet the contract criteria.

The Bethesda Softworks blog has news that their sister company ZeniMax Online Studios, which is developing a new MMO, is planning to move into new offices:

ZeniMax Online Studios will lease 40,000 square feet of space on International Circle. It's uncertain how many jobs the company is looking to create in Hunt Valley. The new Hunt Valley division, however, is hiring for 12 positions, according to its Web site.

These positions are:

• Lead Animator
• Lead Environment Artist
• Lead Tools Programmer
• Lead Graphics Programmer
• Tools Programmer
• Client Programmer
• Server Programmer
• Lead Content Designer
• MMO Systems Designer
• Producer
• Office Manager
• Network Administrator