One of the most important developers in FPS history has reportedly lost a substantial portion of its staff, raising serious questions about the studio’s independent future.
Earlier reports had already indicated that id Software was heavily affected by the mass layoffs across Xbox, but the exact scale of the losses remained unclear for some time. Several sources claimed that close to half the team had been dismissed, while newer figures paint an even darker picture.
Game Developer obtained a WARN filing submitted in Texas stating that ZeniMax Media eliminated a total of 158 positions in the state. Twenty-two of those employees belonged to Bethesda Game Studios Austin, the team working on Fallout 76.
The remaining 136 positions were reportedly eliminated at id Software. According to the filing, 96 affected employees worked at the studio’s Richardson headquarters, while the others worked remotely.
That would be a major loss by any measure, particularly because Aftermath reported that id Software employed approximately 185 people last December. At the time, the studio had just announced the formation of a wall-to-wall union with the support of the Communications Workers of America.
If the two figures can be compared directly, the studio may have lost approximately 73.5% of its workforce. A reduction on that scale could severely limit id Software’s ability to lead complete AAA productions independently.
Microsoft has already overseen a similar transformation elsewhere. After previous layoffs, Turn 10 lost a substantial portion of its staff and reportedly became increasingly focused on supporting Playground Games.
In id Software’s case, speculation suggests that the studio could become a support team for MachineGames, while the Swedish developer leads future Wolfenstein or even DOOM projects. Neither Xbox nor id Software has confirmed such a plan.
There is an important difference between the two situations, as id Software’s recent games received major critical acclaim. The modern DOOM trilogy was widely praised, and the franchise remains one of Xbox’s most important internal brands.
Full-game sales of DOOM: The Dark Ages may have been affected by its availability through Game Pass on launch day. That was a business strategy decision, however, and not a consequence of the development team’s performance.
id Software also owns its own technology in the form of the id Tech engine, while its historical importance to the development of first-person shooters is beyond dispute. That is precisely why it would be especially troubling if a team of this significance truly lost the workforce required to lead independent development.
Xbox and id Software have not yet explained what role the studio will play in the future. If the darkest scenario proves accurate, DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations may have been the final project led by id itself, although that conclusion cannot currently be treated as confirmed.
Source: WCCFTech, Game Developer, Aftermath
