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Doom co-creator John Romero weighs in on Xbox's cuts to id Software, underlines the importance of digital preservation and the studio's history
Doom co-creator John Romero expressed his sorrow over the recent layoffs at id Software, acknowledging the personal impact of such events. He also emphasized the critical importance of preserving id Software's historical contributions to gaming, including its code and assets, as the company faces potential restructuring and rumors about the future of its id Tech engine.
Doom developer id Software "is essentially dead," Duke Nukem 3D co-creator says after layoffs reportedly cut…
Following significant layoffs at Xbox, Apogee co-founder George Broussard stated that id Software is "essentially dead" as a development studio, with most of its programming, testing, and Quake Champions teams reportedly cut. Broussard suggests id Software is now relegated to a support role for Bethesda, lamenting the potential loss of the idTech engine. The article also touches on the broader implications of Microsoft's studio sales and layoffs for independent developers.
Doom creator John Romero praises the devs who carried on id Software's legacy as Microsoft reportedly lays off half of the studio: "The last few games showed real care, skill, and respect"
Doom co-creator John Romero has expressed his sympathy for id Software employees affected by recent layoffs, which reportedly cut the studio in half. Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant restructure, impacting ZeniMax Studios and its subsidiaries, including id Software, Bethesda Game Studios, and Arkane Studios. Despite reports of Bethesda focusing on its strongest franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein, the extensive layoffs at id Software, particularly among coders working on the id Tech engine, raise concerns about the future of these series.
Xbox has lost five studios – so who is left to make new video games?
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 staff members and leading to five studios divesting from the company. Xbox leadership aims to refocus on core franchises and expand its daily audience to over a billion people through its services. The article details the remaining studios, their current projects, and their future prospects under this new strategy.
Report: Roughly half of the id Software team have been laid off
id Software, the developer of Doom: The Dark Ages, has reportedly laid off approximately 50 percent of its staff, equating to over 90 employees. This follows Xbox's announcement of eliminating 3,200 roles across its video game division. Bethesda president Jill Braff stated that the company is restructuring around its biggest franchises, including Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake.
'My Heart's With All of You' — John Romero Says id Software Has 'Done a Great Job' Moving the Studio's Legacy Forward and Hopes Someone Is Working to Preserve It All Amid Xbox Layoffs
John Romero expressed his support for id Software, stating the studio has done a great job with its legacy and hopes for its preservation amidst recent Xbox layoffs. He commented on the impact of these cuts on the company.
Bethesda boss says the company must focus on its "strongest franchises" as Xbox layoffs reportedly hit The Elder Scrolls and Fallout makers hard
Following significant layoffs impacting Bethesda Game Studios and id Software, Bethesda president Jill Braff has informed staff of a strategic shift to concentrate on the company's strongest franchises, including The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Doom, and Quake. This move aims to ensure a more stable business foundation and sustainable growth for future investments in its intellectual properties.
Latest Xbox layoffs hit id Software as Doom: The Dark Ages' DLC launches, around half of the staff potentially cut
Xbox is implementing significant layoffs, impacting id Software heavily just as its new DLC for Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch. Reports suggest around half of id Software's staff, potentially including most coders, may have been cut. This follows broader workforce reductions across ZeniMax studios and other Xbox-owned entities, raising concerns about the future of the id Tech engine and the studio's development capabilities.
Xbox Moves On From 4 Studios and Layoffs Off Thousands of Others
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, impacting over 1600 employees and planning for another 1600 over the next two fiscal years. Four studios—Double Fine Productions, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs—will become independent or be acquired by new entities, retaining their intellectual property. Numerous other studios, including Zenimax Online, Id Software, Obsidian, and Bethesda Game Studios, are also undergoing substantial layoffs as Xbox refocuses on its major franchises like Call of Duty, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Halo, and Minecraft.
Bethesda pivots to "franchise-centric" planning model amid Xbox restructure
Bethesda is shifting to a franchise-centric planning model to focus on long-term growth and stability, as announced by CEO Jill Braff. This change occurs amidst a broader Xbox restructuring that includes 3,200 job cuts and downsizing at several studios like ZeniMax Online Studios and Arkane Lyon.
Report – Xbox cuts around 25% of Obsidian staff
Xbox has initiated significant layoffs across its studios, with Obsidian Entertainment reportedly losing around 25% of its staff, impacting producers, artists, designers, and more. This is part of Microsoft's larger plan to lay off 3,200 employees by June 2027, though Blizzard Entertainment teams have been spared for now. The restructuring aims to shift focus away from smaller acquired studios, but the arbitrary nature of the cuts is causing concern over lost expertise.
Bethesda Hit Hard by Layoffs, Studio Head Says “We Need to Change Course” – Rumor
Bethesda has reportedly experienced significant layoffs, with studio head Jill Braff stating the company needs to "change course" to ensure a more stable foundation and sustainable growth. This shift involves focusing on its strongest franchises, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, potentially impacting development on other titles. The move comes amid broader industry layoffs and aims to reposition Bethesda for future success.
The Elder Scrolls Online Studio Has Been Hit Hard by Layoffs, Content Roadmap “Will Be Shifting”
Zenimax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, has been significantly impacted by recent layoffs within Xbox. This has led to a reassessment of the MMORPG's content roadmap, with an updated schedule to be announced later. The article also mentions past layoffs at the studio, including the cancellation of an in-development MMO codenamed Blackbird.
Microsoft's dumb enough to make a new Quake game in Unreal Engine
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced significant layoffs impacting id Software, raising concerns about the future of the Quake franchise. The author speculates that Microsoft might develop a new Quake game using Unreal Engine 6 instead of id Software's proprietary idTech, potentially alienating long-time fans and disregarding the studio's legacy.
Report: The “majority” of ID software and up to half of Zenimax online have lost their jobs
Reports indicate significant layoffs across several Xbox-owned studios, including a majority of ID Software and up to half of ZeniMax Online Studios. These cuts affect teams working on titles like The Elder Scrolls Online, with roadmaps expected to shift. Other studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine are reportedly going independent.
Xbox layoffs: jobs lost at Bethesda, more reported at id Software
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced sweeping layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees, or 20% of the organization. Several studios, including Bethesda, Zenimax Online Studios, and id Software, have confirmed job losses, with up to half of the team working on The Elder Scrolls Online reportedly impacted. Five studios are being divested, with Double Fine and Compulsion Games becoming independent, and Ninja Theory and Undead Labs in the process of being acquired.
Xbox layoffs: jobs lost at Bethesda, more reported at id Software
Xbox has announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 20% of its workforce, totaling 3,200 employees. Job losses have been confirmed at studios including Bethesda and id Software, with five studios being divested or acquired. This follows a recent round of voluntary redundancies and coincides with the start of Microsoft's financial year.
Wolfenstein and Doom still in development despite Bethesda cuts confirms insider
Despite significant layoffs at ZeniMax Media and its studios like id Software and MachineGames, franchises such as Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake are reportedly still in development. While Microsoft's Xbox is prioritizing Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, an insider confirms that ZeniMax will continue to support other major series, with Wolfenstein 3 rumored to be in development at MachineGames.
Xbox Layoffs “Heavily Impact” The Accessibility Team, Too
Xbox has significantly impacted its Accessibility team with recent layoffs, affecting multiple researchers and testers, including senior user researcher Elisabeth Whyte and accessibility test lead Zach Clothier. Despite these cuts, which represent about 20% of Microsoft's gaming staff, a spokesperson stated that accessibility remains a priority for Xbox. The company plans to continue its work on features like the Adaptive Controller and in-game accessibility options.
Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax hit hard by Xbox layoffs, says union
Microsoft's recent Xbox layoffs have significantly impacted Bethesda Game Studios and its parent company ZeniMax Media, with the Bethesda Game Workers Union reporting that many employees have been let go. Reports indicate that studios like id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios are also cutting a substantial number of staff. These reductions are part of a broader reorganization across various Microsoft gaming divisions to focus on higher priority projects.
