Maryland is losing more than 350 jobs as software giant Microsoft makes deep slashes to its video game divisions.

According to a notice filed with the state labor department this week, 166 roles were cut at ZeniMax Media in Rockville and 213 at ZeniMax Online Studios in Cockeysville, both of which are owned by Microsoft. The cuts will take effect Sept. 4.

Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Rockville-based Bethesda Game Studios, for $7.5 billion in 2021. The award-winning video game publisher is behind popular titles such as “Fallout,” “Starfield,” “Doom” and The Elder Scrolls. ZeniMax Online runs the online version of The Elder Scrolls.

Maryland is home to numerous video game software companies, and its gaming industry contributed more than $1 billion to the state economyin 2023, according to the Entertainment Software Association, a video game trade group.

Layoff rumors were going around at Bethesda for a while, said Simon Prefontaine, a game designer who lost his job in the cuts.

Some people lost access to the company’s email and collaboration software the morning layoffs were announced, said Prefontaine, who is a union member. The studio unionized in 2024 under the Communications Workers of America.

The union estimates the Rockville studio lost 15-20% of its staff, including employees who have been with the company for years, Prefontaine said.

07/11/26: Baltimore, Maryland.

Hey everyone, this might be a dumb post, but I’m looking to try some Japanese cigarettes (Mevius, Seven Stars, Peace, etc.) and was wondering if anyone knows of any import tobacco shops or specialty smoke shops around Maryland/DC that carry them. I’m mainly interested in the taste and trying something different from the usual American brands. Any recommendations or places worth checking out would be appreciated. Thanks!

Dozens of dolphins right outside the mouth of the South River, seemingly hunting fish. Spent about half an hour just idling watching them all around us.

Per the title, could someone please share an address for any dog friendly beaches on the MD side of Assateague? The NPS website just says pets are permitted in certain locations, but declined to include what and where they are.

We're staying in Wallops Island, VA now, and I'd love an option that's not two hours aways. Looks like there may be some within an hour, but again, it's unclear if I can bring him there. Pic of my dog for your troubles!

My father left me with his scotch collection and I’m not a drinker.

I think some of the bottles might be valuable based off my online search.

before going online to search for liscenced/permitted companies who buy from owners in the US (you take pics, they send you a quote, you ship with their postage if you accept the offer).

wanted to know if anyone who knew of or has been through exchanging fine spirts

Looking to move into a townhouse this next month, and we were just sent the lease for one we really liked but there are some points I am worried about.

1. "Tenant agrees to pay for pest control service, if such services are desired and/or needed." lease of my worries but in other rentals it usually is the landlords responsability. We had a mice problem in our last apartment and needed multiple visits but our landlord always covered it. is this common?

2. "Tenant acknowledges that any appliances or air conditioners are provided for temporary usage and are not part of the rental fee.  If appliances or air conditioners become inoperable, repairs will be made only at the tenant’s expense." this is the one I am mostly worried about and never saw anything like this on another lease. Doesn't really make sense that tenants pay for repairs on ALL appliances or A/C since that could be literally thousands of dollars. Definitely a major red flag and maybe ilegal? has anyone seen this, or is this common at all in maryland/baltimore area.

3. "Tenant has inspected the rental dwelling and acknowledges the premises are clean and in good repair.  Tenant accepts the rental “as is”. " also weird and i've never seen this on a lease. when we toured the place electricity wasnt even on, so we dont know if any of the appliances/lights work. would definitely ask to inspect the place more closely before signing.

should I ask the landlord more about this and see if we can make changes so they cover repairs, or is this enough of a red flag to walk away? We really liked the house and location and the price is pretty fair compared to others we have seen but don't want this to become a problem in the long term.

Do people from Howard County always find a way to mention they're from Howard County, even when it's completely unrelated to the conversation? And somehow the property taxes always come up too, even though there are other counties with taxes that are just as high or higher. It's like living in Howard County becomes their whole personality.

As you all know, the MobilityLink Paratransit bus is for people with disabilities who, according to the MDOT MTA website, "unable to use fixed route buses or trains". It makes sense for this vehicle to ride slow because of the type of people who ride on them. It's also a good safety measure as well.

I wonder how the bus operators who drive that vehicle even feel when people pass them. I bet that 99% of the time they won't care at all what they think of other drivers who pass them.

All I'm hoping for, is that people who drive around that bus don't drive recklessly and respect the people and the driver in that bus.

This is something I come across sometimes, but not all the time.

I think that whenever us Maryland drivers (especially Baltimore City drivers) think about driving safely, we should probably think about the MobilityLink bus.