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Microsoft Reportedly Still Wants To Use id Tech After Gutting The Team Behind It
Despite significant layoffs that have gutted the team responsible for id Tech, Microsoft reportedly still intends to utilize the engine. The future of the id Tech engine's development and usage remains uncertain following the drastic reduction in staff at id Software.
'All options are on the table, considering the drastic measure already put in place' — Could Microsoft sell Xbox? Analysts say it's too expensive for that, but that it could be dismantled piece by piece
Industry analysts are discussing the potential sale or dismantling of Microsoft's Xbox division amidst a significant restructuring. While a full sale is considered unlikely due to its high cost, analysts suggest that individual studios or intellectual properties might be sold off piecemeal. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has acknowledged the business is 'not healthy' and is implementing changes to improve its financial performance and strategic direction.
Sony "will not reverse" plan to kill physical PlayStation games, analyst says: "They knew what the online reaction would look like, and they now wait for this storm to pass"
Sony plans to discontinue physical PlayStation game discs in 2028, a decision an analyst believes will not be reversed despite industry backlash. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games suggests that Sony's large user base and lucrative digital sales make the move cost-effective, with potential impacts on Xbox and Nintendo's strategies.
What will another Obsidian Fallout game even look like all these years on? Here's my attempt to read the radioactive tea leaves
Following reports of Obsidian Entertainment being redirected to work on a new Fallout game, this article speculates on what such a title might look like. It considers how the studio could innovate within the series, potentially by exploring new settings and gameplay mechanics, while acknowledging the influence of the recent Fallout TV show and other modern RPGs.
Microsoft lays off Bethesda vet behind Todd Howard's "crazy" Fallout 4 idea, "too many Skyrim weapons to count," the Dwemer, and Mudcrabs – and he may leave games altogether
Microsoft's ongoing layoffs have impacted Bethesda, with veteran artist Dane Olds, responsible for significant art assets in games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, being let go. Olds, who has been with Bethesda for nearly 20 years, is considering leaving the game industry. This follows other layoffs at the studio, raising concerns about the development of The Elder Scrolls 6.
"We were already running a tight ship": Elder Scrolls 6 devs are worried about Xbox's layoffs causing even more delays to the long-awaited RPG
Bethesda developers are concerned that recent layoffs at Microsoft and Xbox will cause further delays for The Elder Scrolls 6. Staff report that the cuts have negatively impacted morale and may lead to longer development cycles due to the need for onboarding new or contract labor. Developers fear this will necessitate crunch time to meet deadlines for the highly anticipated RPG.
"Probably dead forever": Team behind the incredible Doom and Wolfenstein engine reportedly reduced to 1 person…
Following significant job cuts at id Software, the legendary studio's proprietary id Tech engine reportedly has only one person left working on it. This development raises concerns about the future of the engine, which has powered iconic titles like Doom and Wolfenstein since the mid-'90s. While some speculation exists about potential support from the id Software Frankfurt office, the immediate future of the engine and id Software's projects remains uncertain amidst widespread layoffs impacting Microsoft's gaming divisions.
The Elder Scrolls 6 will be hurt and potentially delayed by Xbox layoffs, Bethesda devs expect: "This has had a…
Bethesda Game Studios developers express concern that recent Xbox layoffs will negatively impact the production and potentially delay The Elder Scrolls 6. Staff report that the loss of programmers, artists, and designers has already affected morale and workflow, with fears of increased reliance on contract labor and further delays.
Warframe of Mind: In praise of Warframe’s optimistic nihilism
This article discusses the concept of 'optimistic nihilism' as presented in the game Warframe. It argues that despite the game's bleak and broken universe, where true salvation is impossible, the narrative encourages players to find meaning and make positive impacts in smaller ways. This message of finding love and caring for others in a chaotic world is presented as a palliative response to real-world awfulness.
"Great job Microsoft": Former id Software artist says the legendary dev has been "relegated to support studio size" after Xbox's strategy of "nuking a team into the dirt"
Former id Software artist Derek Best stated that Microsoft's recent layoffs have reduced the iconic FPS developer to a support studio size. Best, who was among the 136 employees laid off, criticized Microsoft's strategy, noting the significant loss of institutional knowledge and the impact on the id Tech engine team. The layoffs have raised concerns about the future of id Software's core franchises like Doom and Quake.
Blizzard is already patching Diablo 4 Season 14 after players proved Mythics got screwed up, update coming next week…
Blizzard Entertainment is preparing a patch for Diablo 4's Season 14, 'Death Awakening,' to address player concerns about extremely low drop rates for Iconic Mythic items. The update, expected within the next week, will also fix issues with Mythic Uniques tagged as 'Crafted' when obtained through the Horadric Cube. This adjustment aims to improve the game's long-term health while addressing immediate player feedback on item acquisition.
AI data center servers predicted to glug more power than 'conventional servers' by 2027
Data center electricity consumption is projected to rise significantly, from 447 terawatt-hours in 2025 to 565 terawatt-hours in 2026, driven by the increasing demand for AI workloads. By 2027, AI-optimized servers are expected to consume more power than conventional servers, with their power demands growing by 47.8%.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Devs Fear “More Delays” After Layoffs Have “Crushing Effect On Morale”
Developers at Bethesda Game Studios are concerned that recent Microsoft layoffs could lead to significant delays for The Elder Scrolls 6, citing a "crushing effect on morale." These cuts, impacting various disciplines, raise fears of project timelines being pushed back and potential reliance on contract labor. The studio is also reportedly planning Fallout 5 after The Elder Scrolls 6.
New Perfect Dark, Co-Op Doom Were Reportedly In The Works At Id Software Before Mass Layoffs
Mass layoffs have significantly impacted id Software, with reports suggesting projects like a new Perfect Dark game, a co-op Doom experience, and a John Wick-inspired title called Fury were in development. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's 'reset plan' led to the dismissal of over half of id Software's staff, potentially affecting the future of the id Tech engine and other studios like Obsidian Entertainment and ZeniMax Online Studios.
Microsoft’s nonsensical Elder Scrolls Online layoffs cut 213 staff, according to WARN Act disclosure
Microsoft has laid off 213 employees from ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, and 166 from ZeniMax, which includes Fallout 76. This news comes from a WARN Act disclosure and adds to previous layoffs at the studio. Despite the significant cuts, The Elder Scrolls Online has reportedly been a consistent revenue generator for over a decade.
Xbox Game Pass Hidden Gems: 20 Games Worth Playing Right Now (2026) | TAG
This guide highlights 20 under-the-radar games available on Xbox Game Pass, categorized by their time commitment. It focuses on titles that are either new, forgotten, or obscure, offering recommendations for various playstyles and schedules. The article emphasizes that these games are worth owning even if they leave the service.
A risk-averse video game industry is failing marginalized developers
The video game industry is criticized for being risk-averse, leading to difficulties for marginalized developers like Nazih Fares and his team behind the satirical card game 'The Arab League of Misfits.' Despite positive feedback, their game is deemed too risky by potential funders due to its Arab identity and heritage focus. This trend is exacerbated by industry-wide struggles, layoffs, and a preference for safe, licensed IPs over supporting new voices.
Doom and Quake studio id Software reportedly gutted, leaving standalone capabilities in doubt and newly revealed game ideas dead
Microsoft's restructuring has severely impacted id Software, with 136 employees laid off, leaving fewer than 50 staff. This reduction in force has reportedly led to the cancellation of new game ideas like 'Fury' and a 'Perfect Dark' title, and casts doubt on the studio's ability to develop full-scale games independently. The future of id Software appears to be shifting towards a support role for other Xbox studios, potentially focusing on its proprietary id Tech engine.
An alleged member of a hacking group was caught, thanks to one hated Windows feature
A 19-year-old alleged member of the hacking group Scattered Spider, Peter Stokes, was arrested and reportedly incriminated by data from Microsoft's Windows Global Device Identifier (GDID) telemetry service. Despite using VPNs, the GDID logged information that law enforcement used to link Stokes to a machine involved in network intrusions and ransom payments totaling over $100 million. This incident has raised further concerns about user consent and data privacy related to Windows' tracking features.
Obsidian Has Cancelled Multiple Projects To Make New Fallout, Per Report
According to a report, Microsoft has canceled multiple projects at Obsidian Entertainment to have the studio develop a new Fallout game, with Josh Sawyer leading the design. This decision comes amidst significant layoffs at Microsoft and Obsidian, and the cancellation of a planned sequel to Avowed. The new Fallout title will be the first mainline entry in the series since Fallout 4 in 2015.
