id Software
id Software business and news from across the web.
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id Software Lead Programmer Says “Morale Has Never Been Lower” Following Layoffs
id Software lead programmer Chris Hays stated that morale at the studio is at an all-time low following recent layoffs, calling the process "inhumane." He criticized executives for not understanding game development and expressed concern about the studio's ability to create AAA games with reduced staff. Hays believes the studio is fundamentally changed by the loss of its people.
Hit markers are an FPS crutch
This opinion piece argues that hit markers, while providing clear feedback in multiplayer first-person shooters, have become an overused crutch that detracts from immersion, particularly in single-player experiences. The author contrasts the effectiveness of intuitive visual and audio feedback in older titles like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Left 4 Dead 2 with the modern prevalence of hit markers in games like Halo and Back 4 Blood, suggesting a decline in immersive design.
FZ High Score - Säsongsuppdatering
The FZ High Score program is concluding its summer season with a recap of the top scores and a look at the winning contestant. The article also features reviews for games like SULFUR and Halo: Campaign Evolved, alongside discussions on open-world games and gaming hardware.
'They Fundamentally Don't Understand Art' — Doom Dev Blasts Xbox After Microsoft 'Gutted' id Software With Layoffs
id Software lead services programmer Chris Hays criticized Xbox and Microsoft following recent layoffs at the studio, stating they "fundamentally don't understand art." The comments highlight ongoing tensions and concerns within the company after significant workforce reductions.
id co-founder John Carmack revisits Doom at QuakeCon: 'Still a great game after all these years!'
Legendary programmer John Carmack shared his thoughts on the enduring quality of Doom during a retrospective talk at QuakeCon. He admitted to getting lost in a port of the classic game, highlighting its lasting appeal decades after its release.
Bethesda 40th anniversary sale knocks 50% off Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations just a month after launch
Bethesda is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a major sale on Steam, featuring discounts of up to 67% on many of its titles, including subsidiaries id Software and Arkane Studios. Notably, the recently released Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations expansion is 50% off, just one month after its launch. This sale occurs amidst recent layoffs at Bethesda Game Studios, Zenimax Online, and id Software, and concerns about Arkane Studios' future following Microsoft's acquisition.
Doom developer slams Xbox after layoffs hit id Software: "They fundamentally don't understand art. They…
A lead services programmer at id Software, Chris Hays, criticized Xbox's management following significant layoffs at the Doom developer, stating they do not understand art or games. Hays expressed concern about the studio's ability to create games of similar scope with a reduced workforce, questioning how essential departments will be maintained. Despite these concerns, Doom: The Dark Ages director Hugo Martin refuted claims that the studio is in no shape to make games.
Evening Reading - August 7, 2026
This Friday Evening Reading roundup covers various gaming news, including reviews for Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the Razer Soma Chroma gaming chair. Take-Two Interactive reported unprecedented pre-order demand for Grand Theft Auto 6, while Bandai Namco announced record Q1 FY27 sales. The article also touches on PC issues with Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, new Shackmaps, and upcoming game releases like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
Quoteworthy
A former Id Software developer claims that Xbox does not understand the artistic aspects of game development. The article discusses the developer's perspective on the platform holder's approach to games.
Hit 2021 PlayStation 5 Shooter Game Surprise Drops Free DLC
MachineGames and id Software have surprise-released a free DLC for the 2021 PlayStation 5 shooter Quake, titled 'Dawn of the Machine.' This new episode adds a 19-map campaign, a new soundtrack, and a Deathmatch map, available to all owners of the base game on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The expansion was conceived by Lead Level Designer Andrew Yoder and Game Director Jerk Gustafsson, aiming to capture the original game's horror and action.
Quoteworthy
John Romero shared an anecdote about id Software selling empty Doom boxes to Taiwanese pirates to circumvent distribution issues, stating it was a form of distribution for them. Trent Reznor also commented on Doom's impact.
Doom creator id Software used Taiwanese pirates to help distribute the game, John Romero reveals
Co-founder of id Software, John Romero, revealed that the company collaborated with Taiwanese pirates to distribute the game Doom during the Shareware era. Instead of fighting piracy, id Software provided cheap copies to pirates to ensure widespread distribution in regions where they lacked a presence. This strategy helped establish the game's reach and was considered crucial for distribution.
Surprise! The original Quake gets a free expansion on all platforms to celebrate its 30th birthday
To celebrate Quake's 30th birthday, id Software and MachineGames have surprise-released a free expansion, Quake: Dawn of the Machine, on all platforms including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. The expansion features a 19-map campaign with a looping structure, new enemies, weapons, and a soundtrack, offering a fresh take on the classic shooter with roguelike elements.
Quake gets a free new chapter promising "ferocious combat, labyrinthine level design, and nightmarish realms" to celebrate its 30th birthday
To celebrate Quake's 30th anniversary, Id Software and MachineGames have released a free expansion for the 2021 enhanced version, titled Dawn of the Machine. This new chapter introduces 19 new maps, new enemies like the Rocket Ogre, and weapons such as the Super Axe and Laser Cannon, all available on PC via Steam, Microsoft Store, and Game Pass.
Quake firar 30 år med den nya episoden Dawn of the Machine
To celebrate Quake's 30th anniversary, Bethesda has released a new, free episode titled Dawn of the Machine. Developed by MachineGames in collaboration with id Software, the episode features 19 new maps, new enemy variants, and new weapons. It is available for free to owners of the base game on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Quake: Dawn of the Machine Released
id Software has released Quake: Dawn of the Machine, a new downloadable content for Quake, developed by MachineGames. This surprise release coincides with the 30th anniversary of the original Quake and was shadow-dropped during QuakeCon.
Trent Reznor on Doom: 'In some ways I felt a parallel with what I was trying to do with music'
Trent Reznor, composer for the original Quake, drew parallels between his music and the groundbreaking nature of Doom. He discussed his initial fascination with Wolfenstein 3D and how Doom's technological advancements and creative freedom resonated with his own artistic expression. Reznor expressed pride in his work on Quake and its enduring legacy.
Quake: Dawn of the Machine, A Free Expansion for the 2021 Remaster, is Out Now
id Software and MachineGames have released Quake: Dawn of the Machine, a free expansion for the 2021 Quake remaster. This new content features 19 maps, a new deathmatch map, new music, and introduces new enemies and weapons like the Super Axe and Laser Cannon, all within a time loop premise.
30 years after it 'ruined id Software,' Quake gets another big update while the studio once again grapples…
MachineGames has released a new update for id Software's 1996 game Quake, titled 'Dawn of the Machine,' adding a new chapter with 19 levels and new weapon variants. The update also includes archival development materials and previously unfinished levels. The announcement coincided with the 30th anniversary of John Romero's departure from id Software, a period that saw several key figures leave the company after Quake's development.
John Romero says id Software once sold empty Doom boxes to Taiwanese pirates so fans there could have legit copies:…
John Romero revealed that id Software once sold empty boxes of Doom to Taiwanese pirates to legitimize their distribution of the shareware version. The company was content with this arrangement, viewing it as a way to get the game out to as many people as possible before the internet was widespread. id Software also opted not to implement copy protection, believing it was a losing battle.
