Doom developer id reportedly cut in half as part of Xbox layoffs
News Source
β’2026-07-07T12:09:48-04:00
π° What Happened
id Software, the legendary game developer behind Doom, has reportedly laid off about 50 percent of its staff. One source told Game Developer the cuts amount to more than 90 redundancies. Another source said id's QA department was significantly affected.
The layoffs are happening right as id is releasing a major Doom expansion. The cuts are part of wider mass layoffs hitting Xbox and Microsoft Gaming. Microsoft has been restructuring its gaming business after acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion.
π The Backstory
id Software is one of the most famous game studios in history. It created the first-person shooter genre with games like Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and Quake. The studio was acquired by ZeniMax Media, which was then bought by Microsoft in 2021.
The gaming industry has seen massive layoffs in recent years. Microsoft, Sony, and other major companies have cut thousands of jobs. Critics say companies spent too much on acquisitions and are now cutting staff to save money. Losing half of id Software's staff is a huge blow to a studio that shaped modern gaming.
π― Why It Matters
When a legendary studio like id Software loses half its staff, it affects the games we will play in the future. Great game creators losing their jobs means fewer quality games and less creativity in the industry.
id Software, the legendary game developer behind Doom, has reportedly laid off about 50 percent of its staff. One source told Game Developer the cuts amount to more than 90 redundancies. Another source said id's QA department was significantly affected.
The layoffs are happening right as id is releasing a major Doom expansion. The cuts are part of wider mass layoffs hitting Xbox and Microsoft Gaming. Microsoft has been restructuring its gaming business after acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion.
id Software is one of the most famous game studios in history. It created the first-person shooter genre with games like Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and Quake. The studio was acquired by ZeniMax Media, which was then bought by Microsoft in 2021.
The gaming industry has seen massive layoffs in recent years. Microsoft, Sony, and other major companies have cut thousands of jobs. Critics say companies spent too much on acquisitions and are now cutting staff to save money. Losing half of id Software's staff is a huge blow to a studio that shaped modern gaming.
When a legendary studio like id Software loses half its staff, it affects the games we will play in the future. Great game creators losing their jobs means fewer quality games and less creativity in the industry.