Nearly 50% of the workforce at id Software, the studio behind Doom, has been affected by recent layoffs at Xbox.

Following Xbox’s announcement of 3,200 job cuts, details about the layoffs across its teams are still emerging. Sadly, the iconic id Software, known for classics like Doom, Wolfenstein, Quake, and Rage, has reportedly seen its workforce reduced by half.

Multiple anonymous sources have revealed that over 90 of its approximately 200 employees have been let go. Jeff Gardiner, a former project lead at Bethesda, shared on X that 95 individuals were affected. Even more concerning, Scott Miller, founder of Apogee/3D Realms and an early collaborator with id, indicated he received insider information suggesting that “most (if not all) coders” at the studio have been cut.

This news is particularly shocking given id Software’s status as a pioneer in video game technology. Titles like Wolfenstein (1992), Doom (1993), and Quake (1996) were groundbreaking, thanks to innovative software engineering that established first-person shooters as a viable genre. The studio has continued to uphold its reputation for coding excellence, with the Doom series being one of the few modern AAA franchises utilizing its own in-house engine (id Tech 8) rather than relying on engines like Unreal.

The decision to let go of the very talent that defines the studio is puzzling, especially in light of Microsoft’s stated goals for restructuring. id Software has consistently delivered new entries in its flagship series, recently launching Doom: The Dark Ages, which attracted 3 million players in its first week—marking the studio’s biggest launch to date. While this success was partly due to its debut on Game Pass, the numbers are still impressive.

In an internal email that surfaced, Bethesda president Jill Braff (id Software operates under Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media) mentioned a shift from a planning model focused on individual studios to one that emphasizes the strongest franchises and a content roadmap that benefits both players and Bethesda as a whole. With the apparent reduction in id’s workforce, it seems the studio may transition to a support role within Bethesda, contributing to titles like Fallout, Wolfenstein, and others.

id Software co-founder John Romero expressed his support for those impacted by the layoffs, stating, “The people at id have done a great job moving that legacy forward. Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein are not easy names to carry on, especially in today’s industry. The last few games showed real care, skill, and respect for what those worlds mean to people.”

In light of this news, many Doom fans might be wishing that id had been afforded the same opportunity as studios like Double Fine, allowing it to remain independent rather than potentially becoming a support entity.

The recent layoffs at Xbox reflect a long history of mismanagement as much as they do recent overexpansion.