id Software Has Been Nearly Devastated by Staff Cuts: Uncertain Future for the Historic Studio

New details have emerged about the impact of the restructuring initiated by Microsoft within the Xbox division, with id Software being among the studios most affected by layoffs. According to reported information, the historic software house responsible for franchises such as Doom and Quake has undergone a drastic reduction in personnel.

An official communication filed in the State of Texas indicates that 136 employees were affected by the cuts. Of these, 96 worked at the studio's headquarters, while another 40 operated remotely. Considering that in December 2025 the workforce consisted of approximately 185 people, the number of remaining employees has reportedly fallen to fewer than fifty.

Several testimonies collected from former members of the studio describe the situation as extremely difficult. Some ex-employees expressed surprise at the extent of the layoffs, while former principal VFX artist Derek Best stated that years of accumulated experience were wiped out in one fell swoop. These cuts come at a particularly delicate time for id Software. The studio had released Doom: The Dark Ages in 2025 and just this week launched the Revelations expansion, while also evaluating new projects for the future.

Is Doom and Quake at Risk After Xbox Cuts?

Among the ideas in development was Fury, a new intellectual property inspired by the action style of John Wick, with settings that combined sci-fi elements, noir atmospheres, and crime-related scenarios in cities like Chicago and Louisiana. The gameplay would have combined shooting and hand-to-hand combat, but the project seems to have never received the definitive green light.

According to rumors, there were also plans for a new proposal dedicated to Perfect Dark, a robot-themed title inspired by Westworld called Ironwood, and a cooperative multiplayer idea set in the Doom universe. At this time, however, there appear to be no developments on a new Quake.

With such a reduced workforce, the possibilities that id Software can continue to develop AAA games independently are dwindling. Therefore, the question remains open regarding the future of the studio, which according to some hypotheses could focus primarily on supporting other Xbox teams, such as MachineGames, or on id Tech technology.