Reports indicate that id Software, the studio behind the Doom and Quake franchises, has undergone substantial layoffs, with approximately half of its workforce, particularly within its technology team, reportedly dismissed. While Microsoft, id Software's parent company, has not officially confirmed the exact number of affected employees, numerous accounts from former staff and industry insiders suggest a significant reduction in personnel. This news comes during the release week of the upcoming expansion, Doom: The Dark Ages.
Departing id Software employees have shared their experiences on LinkedIn, with systems programmer Michael Maynard, a 21-year veteran, noting the studio's historical contributions to game engine technology. Maynard stated that the team created what he described as "arguably THE BEST first person engine technology in the industry" and criticized Microsoft's decision to dismiss a large portion of the staff despite their dedicated work and achievements over many years.
John Romero, co-founder of id Software and a key figure in the creation of the original Doom, has publicly responded to the news. He expressed his sorrow for those affected, drawing parallels to his own experiences when leaving id Software. Romero emphasized the unique and painful nature of stepping away from a place that holds so much personal history, work, and friendships. He acknowledged the efforts of id Software's current team in carrying forward the legacy of franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein, noting the skill and respect evident in recent game titles.
Romero also used the situation to underscore the critical importance of digital preservation. He shared that he has personally preserved id Software's early history from its inception at Softdisk through to August 1996, including materials and assets that he believes the studio may no longer possess. He expressed hope that a similar effort is underway to safeguard the ongoing legacy of the company, encompassing its work, code, assets, stories, and the people involved. Romero concluded by offering his heartfelt support to everyone impacted by the recent layoffs, including those from his own company, Romero Games, which experienced its own staff reductions last year.
The reported layoffs at id Software raise questions about the future direction of the studio's acclaimed technology. Historically, id Software's engines, from the original Doom to iterations of id Tech featuring innovations like Rage's MegaTextures and the raytracing capabilities in Doom: The Dark Ages, have been central to their identity and influence in the industry. Speculation exists that these cuts could signal a shift away from proprietary engine development, potentially towards licensed engines like Unreal Engine. However, the timing of such a move, especially given the increasing need for optimized game performance on existing hardware, has been met with surprise by some industry observers.