id Software Addresses Layoff Speculation: “Our Team is Ready to Deliver the Games and Technology We’re Known For”

id Software, the legendary studio behind iconic titles like Doom and Quake, has confirmed it will persevere despite the recent wave of layoffs and cutbacks affecting Xbox. In a statement released on Friday, the Texas-based developer addressed rumors of significant staff reductions, asserting that it remains committed to creating games and advancing its renowned technology.

Following the launch of the new Revelations DLC for Doom: The Dark Ages, id Software reassured fans that it will continue its legacy of game development. “While our studio was impacted, those changes were spread across teams,” the statement shared on social media noted. “We still have the crew we need to build the games and tech we’re known for. The team today is about the same size we were when making Doom (2016). We have always had a flat studio where everyone is a maker, and we will remain true to that philosophy moving forward.”

According to credits from Doom (2016) on a gaming database, around 125 individuals contributed to the project, including game designers, artists, programmers, and producers, with over 30 more in quality assurance and support roles. The reboot was developed with assistance from various studios, showcasing a collaborative effort in its creation.

id Software’s statement emphasized a commitment to supporting affected team members, stating, “We’re going to keep building the great games and tech that have defined us for the past 35 years, and we’re looking forward to seeing you at QuakeCon this August.”

Amidst unverified reports of drastic layoffs, an official Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Notice revealed that 136 employees, including 40 remote workers, would be laid off from ZeniMax Media’s offices in Richardson, Texas, where id Software is located. These cuts were said to significantly impact the team behind id Tech, the studio’s proprietary game engine. However, a Microsoft spokesperson countered this claim, asserting that “dozens of people are working on id Tech across multiple locations.”

On Monday, Microsoft announced plans to lay off 3,200 employees within its Xbox division over the next year, affecting studios like Obsidian Entertainment and Bethesda Softworks. Additionally, Microsoft is looking to divest from four other studios: Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, while also negotiating the future of Arkane Studios, known for titles like Dishonored and Blade.

While the situation remains fluid, it’s becoming clearer what direction Xbox will take in the future.