id Software Claims Doom Dev Was Nerfed by Xbox Layoffs

The rumble of corporate restructuring often echoes loudest in the gaming world, but for some legendary studios, the sound is merely background noise. Despite major layoffs sweeping through Microsoft’s gaming division, the iconic team behind Doom remains defiantly alive and kicking.

Recent reports confirmed that id Software experienced significant workforce reductions, with 96 workers laid off in Richardson, Texas, and additional remote roles cut. These cuts were part of a wider “reset” initiated by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, which began with thousands losing their jobs, signaling a major shift in Microsoft’s gaming business strategy.

When the news hit, the response from the creative leadership was swift and reassuring. Hugo Martin, Creative Director at id Software, addressed the concerns about the studio’s future, insisting that the team is far from being “gutted.”

“We are the size we were when we made Doom 2016,” Martin stated. He emphasized that the core intellectual property and tools remain robust. id Tech, the powerful game engine utilized by both id Software and fellow Bethesda-owned MachineGames, is thriving.

Martin pointed out that the presence of id Tech engineers in locations like Frankfurt and within MachineGames demonstrates that the engine itself is very much alive and well, capable of supporting future creative endeavors. He stressed that the heart of the matter is the quality of the product, not the headcount.

The studio’s ability to produce critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles, such as Doom: The Dark Ages, serves as a powerful testament to their creative success. Martin argued that the success of these games is a positive factor for everyone involved—the staff, the fans, and the industry.

The legacy of id Software faces scrutiny during times of corporate upheaval, yet the founders offered context on the journey. John Romero spoke publicly about the necessity of preserving the studio’s legacy, highlighting how titles like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein carry immense weight in the industry.

While John Carmack expressed a degree of sadness regarding the recent changes, he focused less on outrage and more on the enduring success of the games themselves, questioning whether the commercial performance adequately protected the studio during this period.

Looking ahead, id Software is already charting new creative territory. Before the layoffs occurred, the team was actively formulating exciting new ideas, including concepts for a John Wick-style original IP, a reboot of Perfect Dark, and ambitious multiplayer co-op Doom experiences.

This momentum continues to build as the studio prepares to share what they are working on next, promising more developments in the future that will continue to push the boundaries of the genre.