id Software, the developer behind the Doom and Quake series, was reportedly working on several unannounced projects, including a new Perfect Dark game and a co-op focused Doom experience, before widespread layoffs significantly impacted the studio earlier this week. These projects, along with a John Wick-inspired title codenamed Fury, were allegedly in development before being put on hold or canceled as part of a broader Xbox reset plan.
The scale of the layoffs at id Software has been described as extensive, with reports indicating that over half of the studio's staff was affected. One former employee, id Software's principal VFX artist Derek Best, stated on LinkedIn that Microsoft is reducing the studio to a "support studio size." This news follows the recent announcement of Doom: The Dark Ages and its Revelations expansion, underscoring a turbulent period for the veteran developer.
The Perfect Dark project reportedly emerged after The Initiative, another Microsoft-owned studio, had its own take on the franchise canceled. id Software's version is believed to be a distinct reimagining, with concept art having been developed. Meanwhile, Hugo Martin, director of Doom: The Dark Ages, was reportedly the driving force behind the concept for Fury, a game described as blending sci-fi, noir, and gangster elements reminiscent of films like John Wick.
These internal developments at id Software are part of a larger wave of job cuts across Microsoft's gaming divisions, which have also affected studios such as Obsidian Entertainment and ZeniMax Online Studios. The extent of these layoffs has led to speculation about the future of the proprietary id Tech engine, a cornerstone of many of id Software's landmark titles.