Overview
- This week a Texas WARN filing and reporting showed id Software eliminated roughly 136 roles, a reduction that represents more than half the studio's prior headcount.
- Microsoft said there are still “dozens” working on the id Tech engine across multiple locations and denied reports the engine team was reduced to a single person.
- id Software issued a statement saying it retains a team comparable in size to when DOOM (2016) was made and that it still has the crew needed to build its games and tech.
- Founders John Carmack and John Romero reacted publicly, with Carmack expressing sadness and questioning earlier faith in Microsoft stewardship and Romero calling the cuts devastating.
- Several unannounced pitches and engine leadership roles reported to be affected — including rumored concepts such as a Perfect Dark idea, Fury and Ironwood — now face unclear futures as Xbox refocuses studios for profitability and schedules QuakeCon in August.