DOOM: The Dark Ages
News, coverage and analysis tracking DOOM: The Dark Ages across the outlets.
Latest coverage
"There are no benefits to being owned by Microsoft": Xbox owners accused of cultivating a "disposable worker mentality" in damning report on layoffs
A report details the impact of recent Microsoft layoffs on Xbox employees, including those at Bethesda, ZeniMax, and id Software. The article highlights a "disposable worker mentality" fostered by unclear goals and abrupt termination processes, with some employees expressing disillusionment with being owned by Microsoft and questioning the value of their work in terms of job security.
'The entire thing is going to fall apart:' Inside the latest round of mass layoffs at Xbox
Microsoft's Xbox division has conducted its fifth round of mass layoffs since 2023, impacting 3,200 employees across studios like Bethesda, ZeniMax Online Studios, and id Software. Employees describe the process as cruel and self-defeating, with swift video calls and disabled communication channels. The cuts have led to significant loss of institutional knowledge, particularly concerning id Software's proprietary id Tech engine and the development teams for major franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls.
DOOM Studio’s Claims That it Can Still Make Games “Stretches Reality”, Says Former Employee
A former id Software employee claims the studio's assertion of having sufficient staff after recent layoffs is unrealistic, stating that critical programming, engineering, and design teams have been significantly depleted. The employee highlighted the loss of institutional knowledge, particularly concerning the id Tech engine, and suggested that the studio's ability to develop future games is compromised. id Software maintains its headcount is comparable to the DOOM (2016) development period and is committed to its philosophy of all employees being makers.
Game Reviews
This article appears to be a collection of reviews for various games. It mentions a performance review for Assassin's Creed Black Flag from TechPowerUp and reviews for Doom: The Dark Ages from PC Gamer and The Wand Report.
DOOM The Dark Ages – Revelations Review – Only You
The DOOM: The Dark Ages expansion, Revelations, successfully balances the defensive gameplay of the base game with the more frantic, aerial combat fans loved in DOOM Eternal. It introduces the new Chain Spear weapon, which offers versatile combat options and is a standout addition. Revelations provides a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy while exploring the Slayer's past and offering engaging end-game content.
Revelations is the best Doom's ever been, but it's relegated to a DLC for the controversial Dark Ages
The DLC 'Revelations' for Doom: The Dark Ages is praised as the best modern Doom experience, blending Eternal's movement with The Dark Ages' combat and featuring a new Chain Spear mechanic. Despite its quality and length, it's a shame it's a DLC for a controversial entry and that id Software developers were recently laid off by Microsoft.
New Doom Title in “The Early Stages,” Despite Extensive Layoffs at id Software – Rumor
Despite significant layoffs at id Software, reports suggest the studio is in the early stages of developing a new Doom game. While some outlets claimed the studio was reduced to a support role, id Software has confirmed it remains roughly the same size as when it developed Doom (2016). The future direction of the new title remains speculative, with possibilities ranging from continuing the Slayer's story to returning to an old-school Doom experience.
Saturday Patches
This article discusses unofficial game patches and mods, highlighting a mod for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag that removes the yellow color filter. It also mentions the building and testing of a local mesa version for DOOM: The Dark Ages.
id Software gives statement after layoffs with a positive outlook for its future
id Software has issued a statement following recent layoffs, emphasizing a positive outlook for its future in game and technology development, as well as hosting QuakeCon. The studio's current team size is comparable to when they developed Doom (2016), and they maintain a flat studio structure. Reports regarding the id Tech team's status have been clarified by Microsoft, confirming multiple individuals are working on the technology across various locations.
Doom dev Id is now "about the same size we were when making Doom 2016" after layoffs
Id Software has addressed recent layoffs, stating that the studio remains adequately staffed to continue developing games and technology. Despite significant job cuts impacting over half the team, the developer confirmed its current size is comparable to when it was developing Doom 2016. The studio emphasized its commitment to its core philosophy and supporting affected employees, while looking forward to future projects and QuakeCon.
Evening Patches
Recent updates have been released for DOOM: The Dark Ages and Team Fortress 2. The DOOM update is a hotfix, while the Team Fortress 2 update is a general patch. These patches address various issues and improvements for the respective games.
Microsoft Refutes Notion That Foreign-Worker Visas Were Behind Mass Xbox Layoffs
Microsoft communications lead Frank X. Shaw refuted claims that foreign-worker visas were the cause of recent mass layoffs affecting 1,600 people at Xbox. Shaw stated the workforce changes were due to a necessary business restructure, not to replace employees with foreign workers, and that H-1B visa holders represent a small percentage of the overall workforce and were not specific to Xbox.
id Software provides proof of life, says it 'still has the crew we need to build the games and tech we're…
Following significant layoffs at id Software, the studio has issued a statement assuring that it retains the necessary staff and technology to continue developing its signature games and the idTech engine. The company stated its current team size is comparable to when DOOM (2016) was in development, aiming to quell concerns about its future capacity and reliance on Unreal Engine.
Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re Making
Xbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
QuakeCon 2026 will be a place for celebration, mourning, and outrage
Recent layoffs at Xbox and id Software cast a somber shadow over the upcoming QuakeCon 2026, turning what should be a celebration into a potential funeral. The article discusses the uncertainty surrounding id Software's future, the potential abandonment of their proprietary id Tech engine in favor of Unreal Engine, and the likely fan outrage at the event.
Can a top-down, focused software strategy save Xbox? | Opinion
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs and studio closures, impacting 20% of its workforce and five internal studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine. This strategic shift, led by Asha Sharma, aims to address financial issues and improve first-party development, though the article questions the effectiveness of these measures and criticizes the company's past spending and treatment of developers.
Xbox confirms there isn't just "1 person left in Texas" working on id Software's engine following mass layoffs, but "dozens" across "multiple locations"
Xbox has refuted claims that only one person remains in Texas working on id Software's id Tech engine following extensive layoffs. A spokesperson stated that dozens of employees are still working on the engine across multiple locations, though the exact number is unconfirmed. Former id Software artist Derek Best criticized Microsoft's actions, stating that significant institutional knowledge and technological advancements, particularly for Doom: The Dark Ages, have been lost due to the layoffs.
"My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand' statement isn't aging well" - id Software co-founder John Carmack speaks out after devastating Xbox layoffs
id Software co-founder John Carmack commented on the recent significant layoffs at his former studio following Xbox's restructuring. Carmack expressed sadness but not anger, suggesting id Software may have been a marginal business for Microsoft, with Minecraft revenues potentially subsidizing other studios. He reflected on the challenges of making games financially successful in a competitive market and questioned potential strategies for increasing revenue and reducing costs without alienating the existing player base.
id Software co-founder says "my 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand' statement isn't aging well" after the Doom maker lost 136 of its 185 staff to layoffs
id Software co-founder John Carmack commented on the significant layoffs at the studio under Microsoft, stating his previous belief that Microsoft would be a good steward of the brand is not aging well. He suspects id Software was a marginal business for Microsoft, with Minecraft's profits potentially subsidizing other studios. Carmack also reflected on game development needing to succeed financially, not just be beloved, and speculated on alternative strategies that could have improved id's financial performance.
Id Software founder John Carmack mourns layoffs: "Games need to succeed, not just be beloved"
Id Software co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness over recent layoffs affecting over half of the studio's workforce, attributing the cuts to increasing business pressures rather than executive malice. He reflected on the need for games to be commercially successful, not just critically acclaimed, to ensure long-term production, and pondered potential design or marketing changes that could have improved Id's financial standing.
