John Romero, co-founder of id Software and visionary behind iconic titles like Doom and Quake, has publicly shown his support for the affected staff at id Software following the announcement of significant layoffs within Microsoft's Xbox division. The layoffs, described as the most "significant" restructure in Xbox history by gaming boss Asha Sharma, will immediately impact 1,600 staff, with another 1,600 to follow throughout the financial year. Notably, id Software has lost 95 staff, including principal character artist Denzil O’Neill, who contributed to Doom Eternal and the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages expansion, set to release this week.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Immediate layoffs | 1,600 staff |
| Total layoffs expected | 3,200 staff |
| id Software staff affected | 95 staff |
The layoffs also saw the cancellation of high-profile projects such as Rare’s Everwild and The Initiative’s Perfect Dark reboot, echoing similar restructuring that affected Romero Games in July 2025.
"I know what it feels like to leave id while id goes on. It’s a strange and painful thing to step away from a place that holds so much of your work, friendships, and history."
John Romero
"[The people at id] have done a great job moving that legacy forward. DOOM, Quake, and Wolfenstein are not easy names to carry on, especially in today’s industry."
John Romero
Romero highlighted that the last few games demonstrated "real care, skill, and respect for what those worlds mean to people."
Romero's Bold Stand for id's Legacy
"id's history is critically important to the history of games."
John Romero
Romero shared his personal efforts in preserving id's early history up to 1996, including materials no longer possessed by the studio itself. He hopes that similar preservation efforts are being made for the studio's ongoing work, stressing, "I hope someone is doing the same for the company’s ongoing legacy (the work, code, assets, stories, and the people behind them)." This concern comes as the future of id Software remains unclear, with possibilities ranging from supporting MachineGames' anticipated new Wolfenstein game to aiding in the development of another flagship title like Fallout.
"to best position Bethesda for future growth, we are shifting from a planning model primarily centered on what's next for each independent studio to one that focuses on our strongest franchises and determining the content roadmap that best serves our players and Bethesda as a whole."
Jill Braff, Bethesda boss
Romero Rallies for id's Legacy
The layoffs and restructuring have significant implications for id Software's immediate projects and long-term direction. With Doom: The Dark Ages launching amidst these challenges, the community's attention is divided between supporting the new content and worrying about the studio's future.
- Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier indicated that Bethesda will continue working on Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake alongside The Elder Scrolls and Fallout.
"I’m thinking of everyone at id today, and everyone else affected by yesterday’s layoffs. My heart's with all of you,"
John Romero
As the gaming industry navigates these changes, the preservation of id Software's legacy and the future of its iconic franchises remain at the forefront of the discussion.
Romero Fights Back Against Layoffs
- 1,600 immediate layoffs, with another 1,600 to follow, impacting Xbox and its studios.
- id Software loses 95 staff, including key contributors to the Doom series.
- Doom: The Dark Ages expansion releases this week amidst the restructuring.
- John Romero praises id Software's recent work and urges the preservation of its history.
- Bethesda to focus on its strongest franchises, with Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout set to continue.
As the industry awaits further details on the restructuring's impact, fans of id Software's franchises wait anxiously, hoping that the legacy of Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein will not only be preserved but also thrive in the face of uncertainty.
