DOOM
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'To Continue Being Produced Long Term, Games Need to Succeed, Not Just Be Beloved' — John Carmack Responds to id Software Layoffs
John Carmack commented on the recent layoffs at id Software, expressing sadness but not anger. He stated that for games to continue being produced long-term, they need to achieve commercial success, not just critical acclaim or popularity.
"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.
"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.
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.
Even The Elder Scrolls 6 is affected by Xbox layoffs, say Bethesda employees, as "key" people are let go and morale bottoms out
Bethesda Game Studios employees report that recent Xbox layoffs have significantly impacted development on The Elder Scrolls 6, with over 50 staff, including key personnel, being let go. This has led to low morale and concerns about increased crunch and delays for the highly anticipated title. The layoffs also affect other studios like id Software, potentially reducing their roles to support.
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.
Pitches for a co-op Doom, a new Perfect Dark, and a John Wick-inspired cyberpunk game were cooking at id Software before Microsoft layoffs reportedly led to 136 job cuts
id Software reportedly had multiple projects in development, including a new Perfect Dark, a John Wick-inspired cyberpunk game titled Fury, and a multiplayer Doom title, before significant layoffs occurred. These pitches were made after the completion of Doom: The Dark Ages' Revelations DLC, and the studio's future now seems uncertain as Xbox reportedly pushes for faster releases of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5.
id Software Was Reportedly Considering Perfect Dark, A John Wick-Style Shooter And More Doom Before Xbox Layoffs
id Software experienced significant layoffs, leading to the cancellation of several projects including a new Perfect Dark game and an original IP. The studio's future creative direction is now uncertain following these workforce reductions.
Laid-off id Software artist says Microsoft is 'nuking the team into the dirt' and is now the size of a…
Microsoft's recent layoffs have significantly impacted id Software, with 136 roles eliminated, reducing the studio to what a laid-off VFX artist describes as 'support studio size.' This downsizing has led to the elimination of entire teams, including VFX and engine programming, raising concerns about the future of the idTech engine and the studio's creative output.
Fallout and Elder Scrolls union says Bethesda layoffs didn't hurt Microsoft's "14 layers of management" – "We lost dozens of programmers, artists, designers and testers"
Microsoft's recent layoffs significantly impacted Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax Online, Obsidian Entertainment, and id Software, affecting dozens of programmers, artists, designers, and testers, not just management. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed outrage, calling the cuts a "stressful annual routine" and urging fans to voice concerns through Microsoft's feedback portal to prevent future layoffs and studio closures.
Rather than rip and tear id Software apart, Xbox should have put the FPS pioneers on Gears of War
Following significant layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, including a reported 50% staff reduction at id Software, the article argues that Xbox should leverage id Software's expertise for the Gears of War franchise. It suggests that id's talent for creating visceral first-person shooter experiences would be a better fit for Gears of War than continuing with their own struggling franchises like Quake Champions or Rage 2.
MMO Business Roundup: Microsoft is why we can’t have nice things
Microsoft's recent wave of layoffs has significantly impacted its gaming divisions, including studios like Id Software, Bethesda Game Studios, and ZeniMax Online Studios, leading to concerns about the quality and release schedules of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls Online. The article highlights the negative consequences of these business decisions on employees, game development, and player experience, drawing criticism from industry figures and politicians alike.
"Workers deserve protection, not to be treated like disposable line items" – Hundreds of union members affected by Xbox layoffs
Hundreds of union members from the Communication Workers of America were impacted by recent layoffs at Xbox, which saw 3,200 positions eliminated and five studios divested. The CWA is pursuing legal and contractual actions to protect affected workers, including bargaining for severance and recall rights. Union leaders criticized Microsoft's treatment of employees and expressed disappointment with slow progress on contract negotiations, while Xbox leadership cited strategic overextension as a reason for the cuts.
Expansionen Doom: The Dark Ages | Revelations är ute och får fina omdömen
The expansion Revelations for Doom: The Dark Ages has been released, featuring the Doom Slayer in a frozen purgatory with a new Chain Spear weapon. id Software promises more challenging puzzles, new demons, and an updated Ripatorium combat arena. Early Steam reviews are "Very Positive," praising the music and story, despite recent Microsoft layoffs impacting development teams.
id Software Suffers 90 Layoffs, “Most (If Not All) Coders” and QA Department Let Go – Rumor
id Software has reportedly laid off 90 employees, approximately 50% of its staff, including its entire QA department. This move is part of Xbox's broader "reset" plan, which has already led to significant job cuts across its gaming divisions. The layoffs come shortly after the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages' expansion, Revelations, for PC and current-generation consoles.
Doom developer id Software is reportedly losing half its staff
Developer id Software, known for the Doom franchise, is reportedly experiencing significant staff reductions, with approximately half of its employees leaving. This news comes amid broader organizational changes within Xbox.
Id Software veteran of over 20 years absolutely rips and tears into Microsoft after devastating layoffs: "XBOX decided half the team was no longer needed"
Long-time id Software developer Michael Maynard expressed his anger and sadness following significant layoffs at the studio, which he states impacted roughly half the team. Maynard, who had been with id Software for over 20 years, criticized Microsoft and Xbox for the decision, highlighting the loss of institutional knowledge and the impact on the studio's legacy. The article also briefly mentions Sony and Bungie's recent workforce reductions and John Romero's support for the affected developers.
John Romero has a private collection of "critically important" id Software history "including materials and assets that, as far as I know, id itself no longer has"
Following major layoffs at id Software under Microsoft's Xbox division, co-founder John Romero highlighted the critical importance of preserving the studio's history. Romero revealed he has personally archived significant early materials from id Software that the company may no longer possess. The article also touches on the impact of the layoffs on id Software's development teams and the broader discussion of game preservation.
Doom dev id Software loses half its staff and all its coders in Xbox bloodbath
id Software, the studio behind the Doom franchise, has reportedly lost approximately half of its staff, including most of its coders, in recent Xbox layoffs. This significant reduction in workforce has led to concerns about the studio's ability to continue developing its proprietary technology and future titles. Co-founder John Romero expressed concern for the preservation of id Software's legacy amidst these drastic cuts.
"I know how devastating it is, and my heart's with all of you": Doom's John Romero responds to id Software reportedly losing half their team
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly laying off approximately half of the staff at id Software, with a significant impact on the studio's technology team. Former id Software co-founder John Romero has responded to the news, expressing sorrow for those affected and emphasizing the importance of preserving the studio's historical code and assets.