id Software has issued a statement addressing recent job cuts within Microsoft's Xbox division, which also affected the Doom developer. The studio expressed gratitude for player support and asserted that it retains the necessary talent to create its signature games and technology.
"While our studio was impacted, those changes were spread across teams," the statement read. id Software clarified that its current team size is akin to what it was during the development of 2016's Doom. The studio reiterated its commitment to a flat organizational structure where "everyone is a maker," a philosophy it intends to maintain.
The company acknowledged the impact of the layoffs on team members and stated its focus is on supporting those affected. Looking ahead, id Software affirmed its dedication to continuing the development of the "great games and tech that have defined us for the past 35 years." The studio also anticipates engaging with its community at QuakeCon in August.
These developments occur in the wake of Microsoft's broader layoffs across its Xbox division, which saw the closure of studios like Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. Other studios, including Obsidian Entertainment, also experienced significant staff reductions. Reports suggest Obsidian lost approximately a quarter of its workforce and has had its development focus shifted to the Fallout franchise, with at least one project, a sequel to Avowed, reportedly canceled as a result of these changes and a broader strategic realignment.