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.
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- 136 Layoffs at id Softwareid Software has experienced 136 layoffs, with 96 employees affected at their Richardson offices and an additional 40 remote workers. These job losses are part of a larger trend impacting the company in 2026.
- id Software Was Reportedly Considering Perfect Dark, A John Wick-Style Shooter And More Doom Before Xbox Layoffsid 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.
Rather than rip and tear id Software apart, Xbox should have put the FPS pioneers on Gears of WarFollowing 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.
id Software Suffers 90 Layoffs, “Most (If Not All) Coders” and QA Department Let Go – Rumorid 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.- Some Of The Most Impressive Gaming Tech Ever Wasn’t Enough To Save Devs From Xbox CutsMicrosoft's recent layoffs at id Software have raised concerns about the future of its proprietary id Tech engine, with reports indicating a significant portion of the studio's coding talent was let go. This follows a trend of major studios, including 343 Industries and potentially MachineGames, moving away from internal engines towards Unreal Engine, potentially hindering technological innovation in the gaming industry.
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 bloodbathid 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 teamMicrosoft'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.
John Romero commiserates with ousted id devs as around half the studio reported axed, says he hopes someone is preserving its work like he did before he leftFollowing widespread layoffs at Xbox, id Software has reportedly lost around half of its studio staff, significantly impacting the QA department. Co-founder John Romero expressed his sympathy for those affected and hopes the studio's legacy and work are being preserved, sharing his own efforts in archiving id's early history.
Doom developer id Software "is essentially dead," Duke Nukem 3D co-creator says after layoffs reportedly cut…Following significant layoffs at Xbox, Apogee co-founder George Broussard stated that id Software is "essentially dead" as a development studio, with most of its programming, testing, and Quake Champions teams reportedly cut. Broussard suggests id Software is now relegated to a support role for Bethesda, lamenting the potential loss of the idTech engine. The article also touches on the broader implications of Microsoft's studio sales and layoffs for independent developers.
Doom creator John Romero praises the devs who carried on id Software's legacy as Microsoft reportedly lays off half of the studio: "The last few games showed real care, skill, and respect"Doom co-creator John Romero has expressed his sympathy for id Software employees affected by recent layoffs, which reportedly cut the studio in half. Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant restructure, impacting ZeniMax Studios and its subsidiaries, including id Software, Bethesda Game Studios, and Arkane Studios. Despite reports of Bethesda focusing on its strongest franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein, the extensive layoffs at id Software, particularly among coders working on the id Tech engine, raise concerns about the future of these series.
Report: Roughly half of the id Software team have been laid offid Software, the developer of Doom: The Dark Ages, has reportedly laid off approximately 50 percent of its staff, equating to over 90 employees. This follows Xbox's announcement of eliminating 3,200 roles across its video game division. Bethesda president Jill Braff stated that the company is restructuring around its biggest franchises, including Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake.- 'My Heart's With All of You' — John Romero Says id Software Has 'Done a Great Job' Moving the Studio's Legacy Forward and Hopes Someone Is Working to Preserve It All Amid Xbox LayoffsJohn Romero expressed his support for id Software, stating the studio has done a great job with its legacy and hopes for its preservation amidst recent Xbox layoffs. He commented on the impact of these cuts on the company.
Latest Xbox layoffs hit id Software as Doom: The Dark Ages' DLC launches, around half of the staff potentially cutXbox is implementing significant layoffs, impacting id Software heavily just as its new DLC for Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch. Reports suggest around half of id Software's staff, potentially including most coders, may have been cut. This follows broader workforce reductions across ZeniMax studios and other Xbox-owned entities, raising concerns about the future of the id Tech engine and the studio's development capabilities.