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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 Makes First Game Pass Lineup Announcement Following Layoffs — and CEO Asha Sharma's Admission That Microsoft's Gaming Strategy Failed to Work Out
Xbox announced its July lineup for Game Pass following recent layoffs and CEO Asha Sharma's admission that Microsoft's gaming strategy has not been successful. This marks the first major announcement from the Xbox business after significant staff reductions.
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.
"We simply spread ourselves too thin" – Xbox's Asha Sharma on firm's restructuring plans
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma detailed the company's restructuring plans, which include 3,200 layoffs and the divestment of five internal studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Arkane Lyon. Sharma stated that Xbox "spread itself too thin" with various bets, leading to a weakening of its core business and a need to streamline management and refocus resources.
Xbox Wants To Entertain 1 Billion People Every Day. It Can’t Even Explain How
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined a goal for the company to entertain over one billion people daily, a target that seems ambitious given recent layoffs and the current reach of Xbox services. While mobile games like Candy Crush and Minecraft, along with other Microsoft titles, contribute to daily active users, they fall significantly short of the one billion mark. The strategy for achieving this goal, particularly through mobile gaming and potentially third-party titles, remains unclear.
Nobody Plays New Games Anymore: The 2026 Playtime Data | TAG
Recent data from Valve's Steam Replay and Newzoo reports indicate that new game releases consistently capture only 14-17% of player playtime on PC, with older titles dominating the remaining hours. This trend holds true across platforms, with Xbox showing the highest engagement for new releases at 18%. The analysis suggests this is due to factors like the prevalence of live service games, adult time constraints, and the value proposition of established back-catalog titles, rather than a decline in player interest.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+ 2, The Planet Crafter, Palworld 1.0, and More
Xbox Game Pass is adding several new titles throughout July, including the full release of Palworld 1.0, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, and Gears of War: Reloaded. The service will also feature updates for games like Wuthering Waves and League of Legends, while several titles are scheduled to leave the library on July 15.
The Outer Worlds and Fallout New Vegas studio Obsidian is reportedly losing a quarter of its staff in Xbox layoffs
Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind The Outer Worlds and Fallout New Vegas, is reportedly laying off approximately a quarter of its staff, around 60-70 employees. These cuts are part of broader layoffs at Xbox, which impacted 3200 jobs across various Microsoft-owned studios. The layoffs affect multiple disciplines, including senior talent, and come as Obsidian continues work on Grounded 2 and The Outer Worlds 2 DLC.
What exactly is going on with Marvel's Blade? Arkane Lyon's fate remains unclear in the wake of Xbox's controversial 'reset'
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing significant layoffs and studio restructuring, impacting Arkane Lyon and its in-development game, Marvel's Blade. While the studio is in consultation due to French labor laws, reports suggest Blade is safe from cancellation despite being over-budget and internally delayed. Todd Howard of Bethesda Game Studios recently expressed positive impressions of the game.
While several Xbox studios regained independence or found new owners yesterday, Arkane's staff must negotiate their own future
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, spinning off five studios and implementing widespread layoffs. While some studios regain independence or find new owners, the fate of Arkane Studios, specifically Arkane Lyon in France, remains undecided as negotiations involving Microsoft, studio management, and employee representatives are ongoing. This situation highlights differing labor law protections between France and the US, with Arkane Lyon's future potentially involving sale, management buyout, or closure.
The Daily Grind: What does the future look like for Elder Scrolls Online in the wake of Microsoft’s massacre?
Microsoft's recent layoffs have significantly impacted the Elder Scrolls Online studio, leading to the dismissal of numerous staff members, including senior employees. Despite assurances that the game will continue, the roadmap is expected to suffer, raising concerns about its future development and the loss of institutional knowledge within the MMORPG genre.
State of Decay 3 may no longer launch into Game Pass, now that Microsoft is letting developer Undead Labs go
State of Decay 3 may no longer launch day one on Game Pass following Microsoft's sale of developer Undead Labs. While Microsoft will continue to fund the game's development until its 2027 release on PC and consoles, the sale agreement frees the studio from "Xbox-controlling terms." The new owner of Undead Labs, to be revealed this summer, will decide the game's distribution, potentially requiring a new deal with Xbox for a Game Pass launch.
'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.
Former Xbox boss Don Mattrick once reportedly suggested Halo 4 should have a real-money auction house like Diablo 3 infamously did
Former Xbox boss Don Mattrick reportedly suggested that Halo 4 should feature a real-money auction house for in-game items, similar to Diablo 3's controversial experiment. This idea was met with internal disbelief by the development team, who recognized the potential negative impact on the game's reputation and completion status. Halo 4 ultimately launched without such a feature, and Mattrick departed Microsoft in 2013.
Blizzard devs in the dark for now as president of the World of Warcraft and Diablo studio says they "can expect to hear more" soon about Microsoft's plan for the studio as Xbox faces 3,200 job cuts
Amid significant layoffs impacting approximately 3,200 positions at Xbox, Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries has communicated to staff that more details regarding the studio's future under Microsoft will be shared soon. While Blizzard's major franchises like World of Warcraft and Diablo appear largely untouched for now, the company is bracing for potential restructuring and changes in the coming months.
Xbox Game Pass subscription numbers are reportedly well below where Microsoft wants them to be
Xbox Game Pass subscriber numbers have reportedly fallen to 30 million, significantly below Microsoft's target of 77 million by 2026. This decline follows a substantial price increase for Game Pass Ultimate and a change in strategy regarding day-one releases for Call of Duty titles. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited Game Pass growth troubles as a reason for recent job cuts within the Xbox division.
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.
Staff at Fallout: New Vegas Developer Obsidian Reportedly Left Unsure How 'Huge List of Projects' Can Continue After Xbox Layoffs Hit Hard
Staff at Obsidian Entertainment are reportedly concerned about the studio's future projects following significant layoffs within Microsoft's Xbox division. The uncertainty stems from a 'huge list of projects' and the impact of the recent job cuts on the development team.
It looks like Blizzard's escaped Xbox's grim reset scythe for now, though there's still time to be caught in the second 1600-strong layoff wave coming 2027
This article discusses potential future layoffs at Blizzard Entertainment, suggesting the company might avoid the immediate 'reset scythe' from Microsoft but could still face a significant wave of job cuts in 2027. The author notes the impact such news would have on employee morale.
