John Carmack, co-founder of id Software, has publicly addressed the significant layoffs affecting the studio, which recently launched an expansion for Doom: The Dark Ages. Microsoft has reportedly cut 136 roles, representing over half of the studio's workforce.
Carmack expressed his disappointment on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand' statement isn't aging well, and this is certainly going to dampen the mood of the founder reunion at QuakeCon next month." Despite his sentiment, Carmack stopped short of outright criticism of Microsoft's decision. He indicated that id Software might have been a marginal business from Microsoft's perspective, suggesting that the success of Minecraft has been instrumental in supporting other Xbox studios.
A recent Bloomberg report suggests that profits from Minecraft have been allocated to less profitable Xbox studios for several years. Carmack elaborated on the competitive nature of the gaming industry, emphasizing that games need to achieve commercial success to continue production, not just critical acclaim. "Games are competing with every other option for spending your leisure time and money, and the competition is brutal," he noted. While acknowledging that executive decisions can sometimes be flawed, he believes it's not the default assumption. Carmack stated he does not see an obvious path that would have doubled id Software's revenue.
Carmack also proposed hypothetical strategies that could have potentially averted the current situation. He questioned whether different pricing strategies, the creation of additional purchasable content, more cost-effective marketing reaching a wider audience, or adjustments to game design to broaden appeal without alienating existing fans could have made a difference. He also considered whether games could have been produced at a lower cost or more quickly.
John Romero, another co-founder of id Software, also shared his grief over the situation. He related to the experience, recalling how Xbox cut funding for his studio's game in 2025. "I know what it feels like to leave id while id goes on. It's a strange and painful thing to step away from a place that holds so much of your work, friendships and history," Romero said. He expressed his heartfelt support for those affected by the layoffs.