Quake
News, coverage and analysis tracking Quake across the outlets.
Microsoft needs to "reset Xbox," says Asha Sharma, as the company lays off 3,200 employeesMicrosoft's Xbox division is undergoing significant restructuring, with approximately 3,200 employees being laid off throughout the 2027 fiscal year, including 1,600 immediately. CEO Asha Sharma stated the business is not healthy and operating at lower margins than comparable companies. Several studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions, will transition to independent management, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are set to be acquired by new owners.
ZeniMax's pivot to big series amid Xbox cuts reportedly isn't a death knell for Doom, Quake and WolfensteinXbox has announced significant layoffs and studio restructuring, affecting studios like Double Fine and Arkane, while shifting focus towards established franchises such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls for ZeniMax Media. Despite these changes, core series like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein will continue development. Mojang Studios will now report directly to CEO Asha Sharma, with increased investment planned for Minecraft.
Xbox Layoffs, Studio Closures, And Spin-Offs: Everything Announced TodayMicrosoft has announced significant layoffs and studio restructuring within its Xbox division, impacting 3,200 employees over the current financial year, with 1,600 layoffs starting immediately. Several studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions, are transitioning back to independent management, while others like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are seeking new ownership. The company cited financial underperformance and a need to reset its strategy, focusing investment on higher-priority games and core IPs.
Xbox Layoffs Won’t Stop Work on Doom, Quake and WolfensteinDespite significant layoffs impacting Xbox and its ZeniMax Media subsidiaries, work on franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein will continue. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that ZeniMax will not be reduced to only developing Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. The company is also undergoing management restructuring to streamline decision-making processes.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continuesThe Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Rare added to the list of Xbox studios under threatRumors suggest that Microsoft is planning significant layoffs across several Xbox studios, including Rare, Bethesda, and Arkane, with some studios potentially facing closure or sale. This follows recent layoffs at Bungie and Microsoft pulling out of a partnership with IO Interactive. The reported motivation behind these potential cuts is a focus on profitability by new Microsoft management.
Quake - Skalvet som har skakat världen i 30 årThe article reflects on the 30-year legacy of Quake, highlighting its foundational impact on the first-person shooter genre, esports, and modding culture. It discusses how Quake revolutionized online multiplayer with its server/client model and TCP/IP support, and how its engine technology evolved into the id Tech series. The piece also touches upon the game's influence on mods like Capture The Flag and Team Fortress, and its unique blend of medieval fantasy and horror elements inspired by H.P. Lovecraft.
The death of transparency - Game Trader Live with Asif Khan - June 30, 2026Game Trader Live, hosted by Asif Khan, returned for its sixth episode of 2026 on Shacknews Twitch, discussing stock market trends. The educational program aims to teach viewers about investing and trading individual stocks. Asif Khan, CEO of Shacknews, shared his background in journalism, finance, and his personal investment philosophy.
Doom legend John Romero says the FPS game's 20 million shareware players "were not 'pirates' by default" and "history is messier than 'pirates killed the companies'"Legendary Doom designer John Romero disputes the notion that video game piracy destroyed companies in the 1990s. He argues that Doom's shareware model, where the first episode was freely distributed, means many of its 20 million players were not 'pirates' by default. Romero suggests that while piracy did cost money, it wasn't the sole reason for the decline of certain studios, and that the messy history of game distribution is more complex than a simple 'pirates killed companies' narrative.
Quake 30 år senare: En X-exposéThirty years after its release, Quake is being discussed by original developer Sandy Petersen and programmer John Carmack. Petersen reflects on the immense personal cost to the id Software team, leading to key departures, while Carmack takes responsibility for the game's technical ambition and the toll it took. Both acknowledge Quake's iconic status despite the challenges.- Developers On How Quake Shook id Softwareid Software co-founder John Carmack reacted to a post by former designer Sandy Petersen reflecting on the 30th anniversary of Quake. Petersen described the game as an 'amazing feat of engineering' and discussed its impact on the industry.
Games Inbox: Will you boycott GTA 6 for being digital-only?Readers discuss the implications of Grand Theft Auto 6 being digital-only at launch, with some considering a boycott to protest the lack of physical copies and high price. The discussion also touches on the evolution of game remakes, the enduring appeal of classic franchises like Star Fox and Sonic, and the anniversary of Quake.
John Carmack apologizes after Sandy Petersen says 'Quake ruined id Software,' and for once John Romero…Following the 30th anniversary of Quake, co-designer Sandy Petersen stated that the game 'ruined id Software' spiritually due to its intense development cycle, leading to many key figures leaving. John Carmack apologized for pushing the team too hard and for the overly ambitious technical scope of Quake, while John Romero echoed sentiments about the unsustainable pace. Despite the toll, all involved acknowledged Quake's status as an iconic game.
John Carmack talks 'overly ambitious design' for Quake's 30th anniversaryJohn Carmack and Sandy Petersen reflected on the 30th anniversary of Quake, discussing organizational issues and ambitious design choices at id Software that impacted the game's development. While acknowledging the game's success, Carmack agreed with Petersen's sentiment that internal struggles and intense crunch contributed to challenges during its creation.- Out of the Blueid Software launched the groundbreaking 3D shooter Quake 30 years ago on June 22, 1996. The article commemorates the anniversary of the influential first-person shooter.
Weekend PC Download Deals for June 19: GOG.com Summer SaleThis weekend's PC gaming deals include GOG.com's Summer Sale featuring discounts on titles like Hollow Knight Silksong and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition. Steam and Epic Games Store also have various sales, with free games available on Epic Games Store and Amazon Luna. Humble Bundle offers several game bundles for different price tiers.
3D Realms co-founder reveals more about Zenimax redundancies3D Realms co-founder George Broussard revealed details about impending layoffs at Zenimax, suggesting that studios not directly working on Fallout or The Elder Scrolls are at risk. He indicated that new Microsoft management is prioritizing profitability, potentially leading to significant job losses across various Zenimax-owned studios like Arkane and Machine Games. While initial reports suggested closures, further information points to layoffs occurring after the fiscal year ends on June 30.
The greatest FPS mode of all time is endangeredThe article discusses the decline of the Capture the Flag (CTF) game mode in modern first-person shooters, highlighting its historical significance and unique appeal. While CTF was once a staple, its rarity in current titles is attributed to the rise of service games and genre specialization, with few developers offering the variety that supported CTF's prominence.
Bobby Prince, composer of classic id Software and 3DRealms FPS video game music, dead at 81Iconic video game composer Robert Caskin Prince III, known as Bobby Prince, has died at the age of 81. Prince was celebrated for his work on classic 1990s first-person shooter titles such as Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, Quake, and Duke Nukem 3D, significantly contributing to the recognition of video game music as an art form.- Report: Redundancies at Microsoft owned Zenimax have begunMicrosoft has reportedly begun significant layoffs and studio closures within its Zenimax Media division, which includes Bethesda, id Software, and Arkane Studios. Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine Productions are also facing potential shutdowns. This news follows recent announcements about Xbox game exclusivity and a reported decline in profitability, indicating a major business reset for the brand.