id Software Confirms Layoffs Return Studio to Doom 2016 Size
id Software has confirmed significant layoffs, stating the studio is now comparable in size to its team during the development of Doom (2016). Despite the reductions, the company asserts it retains the necessary staff for future game and technology development. Co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness, noting his previous optimism about Microsoft's stewardship of the brand is not aging well.
source coverage
15unique sources
articles clustered
35articles
story updated
id Software gives statement after layoffs with a positive outlook for its futureid 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 layoffsId 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.
Id Software confirms layoffs reduced the team to its size 'when making DOOM (2016)'Id Software has confirmed significant layoffs, reducing its team size to what it was during the development of DOOM (2016). The studio thanked fans for their support and stated it would still be present at QuakeCon 2026. Reports indicate around 96 on-site and 40 remote roles were affected.
Id claims it has "the crew we need to build the games and tech we're known for" following mass layoffsid Software stated on X that it retains the necessary staff to develop its known games and technology, following significant layoffs across the Xbox portfolio. The studio claims its current team size is comparable to when DOOM (2016) was developed, emphasizing a flat, maker-focused philosophy. This comes after reports suggested the layoffs left the company unable to maintain its idtech engine.- id Software Issues Statement Following Xbox Layoffs, Says It's Back to the Size It Was When It Made 2016's Doomid Software has released a statement addressing recent layoffs at Xbox, confirming that the studio has returned to its approximate size during the development of the 2016 game Doom. The statement follows news of significant staff reductions at the first-person shooter developer.
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 layoffsid 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 John Carmack "can’t muster anger or outrage" over Xbox gutting the Doom studio, but does say it'll "dampen the mood of the founder reunion"Id Software co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness but not anger over the recent layoffs at the studio, suggesting that the company may have been a marginal business for Microsoft. He believes games need to succeed financially to continue being produced and that executives aren't always the problem, though he acknowledges the possibility. Carmack hopes the studio can recover despite the uncertain future.
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 layoffsid 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.
How do you put a price tag on a legacy like id Software's?The article discusses the recent layoffs at id Software and contrasts Microsoft's handling of the studio's legacy with Costco's long-standing commitment to its $1.50 hot dog price. It questions Microsoft's stewardship of id Software's influential franchises like Doom and its proprietary id Tech engine, suggesting a lack of appreciation for their historical and creative value compared to their financial performance.- QuoteworthyJohn Carmack commented on recent layoffs at id Software, expressing that his previous statement about Microsoft being a good steward of the brand is not holding up well. The article touches upon the significant job cuts impacting the studio.
- 'To Continue Being Produced Long Term, Games Need to Succeed, Not Just Be Beloved' — John Carmack Responds to id Software LayoffsJohn 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.
John Carmack reacts to massive layoffs at id Software: 'My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the…Co-founder of id Software, John Carmack, has commented on the recent layoffs at the studio, expressing disappointment that his previous statement about Microsoft being a good steward of the brand "isn't aging well." While saddened, Carmack stated he doesn't "muster anger or outrage," suspecting id Software was a marginal business for Microsoft. He also discussed hypothetical strategies that could have prevented the team's decimation, while co-founder John Romero expressed grief for those affected.
Carmack says his 'Microsoft will be a good steward' of the id Software brand take didn't age wellFollowing significant layoffs at id Software amidst a broader Xbox reorganization, co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness and acknowledged that his previous statement about Microsoft being a good steward of the brand has not aged well. Carmack suspects id Software may have been a marginal business for Microsoft, contributing to the cuts despite recent releases like Doom: The Dark Ages.- id Software Considered a Perfect Dark Gameid Software experienced significant layoffs, with at least 92 full-time employees affected as part of broader cuts at Xbox. The article examines the impact of these workforce reductions on the studio.
"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 LayoffsMass 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.
Doom and Quake studio id Software reportedly gutted, leaving standalone capabilities in doubt and newly revealed game ideas deadMicrosoft'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 cutsid 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.