Xbox's latest round of layoffs has struck a devastating blow to id Software, the legendary developer behind the Doom franchise, with the news breaking as the studio launches the highly anticipated Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations DLC later today. The cuts, part of Xbox's broader 3200 job reductions slated by the end of Financial Year 2027, have reportedly axed around half of id Software's staff, a move that could have far-reaching implications for the studio's future projects, including potential impacts on the Quake franchise which, like Doom, is cited as a priority despite the turmoil.
Quick Facts — Doom: The Dark Ages
| Developer | id Software |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Xbox (via ZeniMax) |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release Date | later today (no specific date given) |
| Genre | FPS |
The timing of the layoffs could not be more jarring, coinciding with the launch of Doom: The Dark Ages' Revelations DLC, a project the development team had presumably been working towards with anticipation. For players eagerly awaiting new content, the DLC's release is now bittersweet, overshadowed by the uncertainty hanging over the studio. The community's reaction, while saddened by the news, is perhaps most characterized by a sense of resigned acceptance, encapsulated by the broader sentiment that such layoffs, unfortunately, no longer come as a shock within the gaming industry.
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Doom: The Dark Ages, developed by id Software and published by Xbox via ZeniMax, is the latest entry in the venerable FPS franchise, set to expand its narrative and gameplay with the Revelations DLC. id Software, with a staff of approximately 185 as of late 2025, has been at the forefront of FPS game development, renowned for its proprietary id Tech engine, often regarded as one of the best, if not the best, FPS game engines in the industry.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Staff before layoffs | ~185 |
| Staff after layoffs | ~90 |
| Employees laid off | ~95 |
Ex-Bethesda project lead Jeff Gardiner succinctly captured the extent of the cuts, stating, "
Just heard 95 at id." This number represents a substantial portion of the team, hinting at the depth of the impact on the studio's operational capacity and morale.
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The layoffs at id Software are particularly noteworthy for the reported loss of "most (if not all) coders," as highlighted by Apogee and 3D Worlds founder Scott Miller. This could signal a critical loss of expertise, especially concerning the id Tech engine. Miller's observation underscores the potential for an "unfixable loss of knowledge and know-how," which could have long-term consequences for the studio's ability to maintain and innovate with its proprietary technology.
One of the truly special things about the studio was the sheer amount of skill amongst the team and the exciting and intense collaboration which is what made our games special and successful.
Colin Geller, Principal Concept Artist at id Software
<strong>id Software's Bloodbath Before a Doom Release</strong>
The disappointment here is off the charts.
John Linneman, Digital Foundry
The timing, coinciding with the DLC launch, has been described as "particularly ghoulish," reflecting a sense of dismay at the contrast between the excitement of new game content and the dire reality facing the developers. The community's response, while disappointed, also carries a tone of resignation, highlighting the normalization of such layoffs in the industry.
The potential shift from id Tech to a more mainstream engine like Unreal, speculated due to the loss of coding talent, is feared to be a "
creative and technological catastrophe" for id Software, a studio whose identity and competitive edge are deeply tied to its engine. This concern speaks to the heart of what makes id Software's games unique and raises questions about the studio's future direction and ability to maintain its signature quality.
Xbox's Bloodbath Claims id Software Amid Doom DLC
The layoffs and their timing raise several questions about the future of Doom: The Dark Ages and id Software's projects. For players, the immediate concern is the support and potential future content for Doom: The Dark Ages, given the significantly reduced team. Long-term, the implications for the Doom and Quake franchises, both cited as priorities by Xbox despite the cuts, are uncertain. Industry-wide, this event underscores the volatility of the gaming sector, where even iconic studios are not immune to sweeping corporate decisions.
The community's muted yet disappointed response also reflects a broader fatigue with the frequency and scale of layoffs within the gaming industry. As one of the most recognizable and beloved franchises, the situation at id Software serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind game development and the fragile nature of studio stability, even for those with a legacy as rich as Doom.
