Co-founder of id Software John Carmack has broken his silence on the recent layoffs affecting the Doom developer, stating that while he is saddened, he does not feel anger or outrage. In a social media post, Carmack suggested that id Software may have been a "marginal business" for Microsoft, and that there is no clear path to significantly increase revenue from its games.
A WARN notice filed in Texas confirmed that 96 workers in Richardson, Texas, and an additional 40 remote employees were laid off from id Software. These cuts are part of a broader restructuring of Microsoft's gaming division under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, which has already seen thousands of employees lose their jobs across multiple studios.
Carmack, who co-founded id Software in 1991, acknowledged that while he does not have access to the company's financial books, his assessment points to id Software's business being on the periphery for Microsoft. He also referenced reports indicating that Minecraft's considerable revenue has been instrumental in funding other Xbox studios. This mirrors common industry practices where successful flagship titles subsidize other projects and encourage risk-taking.
He elaborated on the competitive landscape for games, noting that they contend with "every other option for spending your leisure time and money," and that "games need to succeed, not just be beloved" to ensure long-term production. Carmack questioned whether different pricing strategies, increased merchandise opportunities, more effective marketing, broader game design appeal without alienating existing fans, or more cost-effective development could have altered id Software's financial standing. However, he concluded that he "really don't know" if these changes would have made a significant difference.
Despite these financial considerations, id Software has a legacy of critically acclaimed titles. Recent releases such as the 2016 Doom reboot, Doom Eternal, and the Doom: The Dark Ages DLC have been well-received by fans. Co-founder John Romero has also voiced his support for the laid-off staff, emphasizing the importance of preserving the legacy of franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein and noting the care and skill evident in recent id Software projects.