id Software co-director Marty Stratton has stated that the studio is "doing great" following recent layoffs that reportedly affected half of its staff. The reductions occurred shortly before the launch of the studio's expansion for "Doom: The Dark Ages." Stratton acknowledged the significant impact of the layoffs, which resulted in the departure of many employees with extensive institutional knowledge, but emphasized a deliberate effort to ensure the studio's viability across all departments.
Concerns had been raised about the long-term sustainability of id Tech, the proprietary engine powering the studio's first-person shooters. Veteran programmer Chris Hays had previously stated that making large-scale games like "Doom" would be "impossible" with a reduced team. Id Software has countered these claims, asserting that the studio's current state is comparable to its position when "Doom" (2016) was released.
Stratton also highlighted an intensified partnership with MachineGames, the studio behind the upcoming "Wolfenstein 3." He noted that the two teams are collaborating more closely than ever, leveraging their combined engineering talent to advance technology development. This increased synergy was reportedly initiated earlier this year and is seen as a positive step forward for both studios.
Microsoft's "summer reset" has included multiple rounds of layoffs across its gaming division, with further reductions reportedly planned for November and January. The long-term implications of these organizational changes for franchises like "Doom" remain to be seen.