ZeniMax Online Studios Leadership Exits Amid Xbox Layoffs

Microsoft’s latest XBOX layoffs include leadership departures at ZeniMax Online Studios, marking big changes for the Elder Scrolls Online developer.

According to a new report by Stephen Totilo of Game File, top Executives at ZeniMax Online Studios have had their roles affected as part of the recent restructuring at XBOX.

Joe Burba, who has been with the studio for 14 years and was appointed to run it last July, is leaving. He is departing alongside the executive producer of Elder Scrolls Online, Susan Kath, the studio game director, Rich Lambert, and the production director, Ala Diaz. Their roles were listed among hundreds that had previously been cut from the studio’s Maryland offices in a WARN letter sent to the state by the developer.

The affected executives informed the other employees at the studio that there were plans to transition to a new leadership team consisting of tenured veterans being promoted. As such, they will remain in place during the transition period, which is expected to take place over the next few months, according to the report. Bo the studio will now be run by Josh Henderson, previously head of business operations at the studio, and Nick Giacomini, who was promoted to game director of The Elder Scrolls Online last year.

More on the Recent XBOX Reset

On July 6, 2026, Microsoft XBOX announced a major reset of its business. As part of that shift, studios like Double Fine will return to independent status. Mojang, the developer behind Minecraft, will now report directly to XBOX CEO Asha Sharma. Sharma also acknowledged that the previous Game Pass strategy was unsuccessful and said the business is not currently in a healthy state.

What are your thoughts on this latest shake-up? Sound off about this story and all others in our official Discord server.

For more, learn about Bethesda’s plans for union worker protests. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.