We’ve known that ZeniMax Online Studios, the Bethsoft sibling behind Elder Scrolls Online, has been working on another MMORPG for a while – since at least 2018, when it began publishing job postings for people to work on it. We expected it would be an MMO because it explicitly asked for MMO dev experience, as well as for multi-platform know-how. And we knew it was going to be for a new IP, so it wasn’t just another Elder Scrolls or Fallout venture (and Starfield, the parent company’s new IP, has been in production specifically at Bethsoft itself).
Anyhow, there’s some more fuel for the curiosity fire, as IGN reported this morning on ZeniMax Online Studios’ acquisition of Colin Campbell, formerly a dev on multiple big EA and BioWare projects, including Star Wars: Battlefront II, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Mass Effect: Andromeda. He’ll be working on the “new AAA team” at ZOS as a lead level designer.
According the other job postings still up, ZOS is apparently looking for devs with explicit “experience developing and playing MMORPGs” with responsibilities governing systems like “Achievements, Itemization, Crafting, Housing, Justice, Itemization.” Of course, some of the postings refer specifically to Elder Scrolls Online, and others to what kinda sounds like a different AAA title with MMO mentions, so right now, file it all under speculation. The fun kind.
I'm beyond thrilled to welcome @CCampbellArt to our new AAA team @ZeniMax_Online – He brings a wealth of experience into the Lead Level Designer position that I know will make a major impact on this original IP. Want to join Colin and our veteran team? https://t.co/ZI1uRDCun7 pic.twitter.com/imhO1BPfpI
— Ben Jones (@Bagelbeard) April 23, 2020