DOOM devs respond to layoffs and promise to keep building games

When major studios announce sweeping layoffs, the ripples often extend far beyond the office walls, touching the very heart of gaming history. Yet, some recent shifts have sent particular shockwaves through the community, especially when they target developers behind iconic franchises. The cuts recently announced by Microsoft and Xbox heavily impacted id Software, the legendary studio responsible for creating the DOOM series and pioneering the id Tech game engine.

The scale of the restructuring was significant: well over half of id Software’s team was impacted. This included 136 developers across the company, including 96 staff at the Texas headquarters and 40 remote workers. These cuts touched nearly every department, affecting those responsible for building, maintaining, and improving the core technology that powered many ZeniMax projects.

While the numbers were stark, the response from id Software was anything but defeated. In a move that offered reassurance to the community, the studio released a statement addressing the situation. They emphasized that while the changes were widespread, the essential crew needed to build and maintain their legacy was still in place.

“We still have the crew we need to build the games and tech we’re known for,” the statement read. “The team today is about the same size we were when making DOOM (2016). We have always had a flat studio where everyone is a maker, and we will remain true to that philosophy moving forward.”

This message underscored a commitment to the creative core over corporate restructuring. id Software affirmed its intention to keep building the games and technology that have defined them for decades, focusing on supporting each other and team members who were affected by the changes.

The news wasn’t isolated to one studio; it was part of a larger realignment sweeping through the gaming landscape. These layoffs reflect broader corporate decisions affecting the entire ZeniMax and Bethesda ecosystem, impacting teams across titles like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Starfield, and The Elder Scrolls Online.

For developers in the industry, this shift provides a sobering reminder that the future of creative works is often intertwined with corporate strategy. However, for id Software, the message was clear: regardless of the financial winds, the commitment to their unique philosophy—being a studio where everyone is a maker—remains firmly anchored.

Looking ahead, the focus remains on iteration and innovation. id Software expects to continue developing new titles and refining the id Tech engine for other studios, ensuring that their powerful legacy continues to influence the next generation of gaming experiences.