ZeniMax New MMO IP Is Multi-Platform Open-World Action RPG

Rundown:

• ZeniMax Online Studios is officially developing a “new AAA IP” that has reportedly been in development for almost four years and is being built on a new game engine.
• Recent job listings reveal details about the upcoming project, suggesting it will be a multi-platform narrative-based third-person open-world role-playing game (RPG) with combat and exploration.
• The Lead Content Producer position listing emphasises the importance of the narrative, level design, cinematics, and missions/quests, indicating a strong focus on the narrative experience.
• The Lead Gameplay Engineer (Combat) position listing mentions “combat related gameplay systems” and an “open world game client/server architecture”, confirming combat and an open-world setting.
• The Lead Technical Designer position listing suggests the possibility of a playtest for the upcoming project, while the Principal Narrative Designer position listing highlights compelling characters, stories, locations, and dialogue, indicating a rich and immersive narrative experience.

Last year, it was announced that ZeniMax Online Studios had a “new AAA IP” in development, which is rumoured to have been in development for almost four years. “The vision for our next game is grand in every sense of the word, and that’s why we’re developing a new engine to support the needs of the project and studio,” the ZeniMax Online Studios website mentions.

The New Zenimax MMO | Everything Known Information Compilation
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Furthermore, it was believed that the new franchise could be a massively multiplayer online (MMO) one based on Unreal Engine, according to multiple job listings. However, no further details have been revealed about the “very large scope project” – that is, until now.

Earlier today, we came across some recently posted job listings on the ZeniMax Online Studios website, which provide some intriguing details about the upcoming project, including it being a multi-platform narrative-based third-person open-world role-playing game (RPG) with combat and exploration. Additionally, there may also be a playtest that players could look forward to.

One of the job listings on the website is for the Lead Content Producer position at the company’s Hunt Valley headquarters in Maryland, United States, the description for which reads, “ZeniMax Online Studios is seeking a highly experienced Lead Content Producer to join the team developing our next AAA game. This is an opportunity to join a veteran group of developers and contribute to the development of a new, original IP and help create something great.”

One of the qualifications mentioned in the job listing states, “Experience and familiarity producing and working with Level Design, Narrative, Cinematics, Encounters, Worldbuilding, and Mission/Quest teams,” which suggests a narrative-based experience with levels and missions/quests, and even cinematics for the visual appeal. It seems like the upcoming franchise will have a strong focus on the narrative experience.

Another job listing on the website is for the Lead Gameplay Engineer (Combat) position at the company’s Hunt Valley headquarters in Maryland, United States, the description for which reads, “ZeniMax Online Studios is looking for a Lead Gameplay Engineer to lead the combat related gameplay teams and develop game systems in our new engine for the studio’s next AAA project.”

According to the preferred skills mentioned in the job listing, which state, “Experience developing combat related gameplay systems,” the upcoming project may feature a combat experience. Additionally, it seems like the franchise may also be an open-world one, as another one of the preferred skills mentions, “Experience with AI in an open world game client/server architecture.” Furthermore, the job listing also practically confirms the rumour of the franchise being released for PC and console, as one of the preferred skills also reads, “Experience developing for multiple platforms (Windows, Xbox, Playstation).”

However, this isn’t all. Another job listing on the website is for the Lead Technical Designer position at the company’s Hunt Valley headquarters in Maryland, United States, the description for which reads, “ZeniMax Online Studios is seeking a Lead Technical Designer to join our studio for the development of our next AAA game.”

According to one of the qualifications mentioned in the job listing, stating, “Comfortable with a development schedule that is playtest-driven and focused on iteration and polish,” the upcoming project could feature a playtest for players to try the franchise. While it’s unclear whether the playtest will involve in-house testing or a beta test will be released, we can assume that a project of this calibre may feature at least a private playtest.

Additionally, it seems like the franchise will be of the roleplaying (RPG) genre with third-person action, as one of the preferred skills mentioned in the job listing states, “Familiarity with third-person action or roleplaying games.” However, there doesn’t seem to be mention of a first-person perspective in any of the job listings, which was previously speculated could be the case.

Lastly, while not many details are provided for the narrative of the upcoming project, one of the job listings for the Principal Narrative Designer position at the company’s Hunt Valley headquarters in Maryland, United States, does provide some insight as to what players can expect from the franchise. The description reads, “Zenimax Online Studios is seeking a Principal Narrative Designer to join our studio for the development of our next AAA game.”

According to the job listing, the franchise will feature “compelling characters, stories, and locations in the game environment” with “compelling dialogue for characters.” Additionally, players can also expect “quest, lore, and story text” alongside complete “backstories for the world, its locations, and its inhabitants.” This certainly clarifies that the upcoming project from ZeniMax Online Studios is of no small scope and may even be on par with Starfield’s more than 250,000 lines of dialogue.

While the provided information is captivating, it’s crucial to acknowledge that it remains speculative until ZeniMax Online Studios officially confirms the specifics mentioned in the job listings. Nevertheless, given that the project has reportedly been in development since 2018, players can anticipate a significant announcement in the near future.

What do you think about this? Do tell us your opinions in the comments below!

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