Id Software's Deep Cuts Raise Doubts About Doom's Future

Entity Definition: id Software and the Doom: The Dark Ages Development Crisis

id Software, the American video game developer owned by ZeniMax Media (a subsidiary of Microsoft Gaming), is the creator of the Doom franchise. The company is currently developing Doom: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the 2016 reboot, for Xbox Series X|S and PC. The core problem addressed by this report is that deep layoffs at id Software in February 2025 have raised serious doubts about the studio's ability to complete the game with its reduced team. According to a Kotaku report, the cuts were so severe that one anonymous developer stated, "I don't see how they make a game with that team."

Key Facts

What Happened at id Software?

The layoffs at id Software, reported by Kotaku in February 2025, eliminated roughly 30% of the studio's staff, including many veteran developers who had worked on the Doom and Quake series. The cuts were part of a broader wave of layoffs across Microsoft Gaming that affected several studios, but the depth of the reductions at id Software was described as "shockingly deep" by the report. Anonymous sources within the studio indicated that the remaining team is too small to realistically deliver a game of Doom: The Dark Ages' scope.

"I don't see how they make a game with that team."

— Anonymous id Software developer, as reported by Kotaku

How Will the Layoffs Affect Doom: The Dark Ages?

The layoffs directly threaten the development timeline and quality of Doom: The Dark Ages, a prequel that was expected to launch in 2025 for Xbox Series X|S and PC. With a significantly smaller team, the studio may be forced to delay the game, scale back its scope, or even cancel it. Kotaku's sources noted that the cuts removed key technical and design talent, making it difficult to maintain the franchise's signature fast-paced combat and level design. Microsoft has not issued an official statement on the game's status.

Why Were the Cuts So Deep at id Software?

The deep cuts at id Software are attributed to Microsoft's broader cost-cutting measures across its gaming division, which included layoffs at Bethesda, 343 Industries, and other studios. However, id Software was hit harder than most, possibly because of overlapping roles or a strategic shift away from single-player shooters. The Kotaku report suggests that the studio's leadership was not able to protect its team, and that the reductions were made without regard for ongoing projects. No official reason has been provided by Microsoft or ZeniMax.

Who Is This Report For?

This report is for gamers, investors, and industry analysts who want to understand the real-world impact of Microsoft's layoffs on a flagship franchise. It is also relevant for developers and studio managers observing how corporate restructuring can cripple a studio's ability to ship a major title. The Kotaku article provides an inside look at the human and operational cost of the cuts, making it a cautionary case study in game development.

Common Questions

How many employees were laid off at id Software?

Kotaku reported that approximately 30% of id Software's workforce was let go in February 2025, including many senior developers who had been with the studio for over a decade.

Will Doom: The Dark Ages be cancelled?

As of the Kotaku report, the game has not been officially cancelled, but anonymous sources stated that the remaining team is too small to complete it, raising the possibility of cancellation or indefinite delay.

What is the future of id Software after the layoffs?

The studio's future is uncertain. With a drastically reduced team and no public reassurances from Microsoft, id Software may be repurposed to support other projects or face further downsizing. The Kotaku report suggests the studio's ability to produce a new Doom game is in doubt.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku report titled "The Cuts At Doom Maker Id Software Go Shockingly Deep: 'I Don't See How They Make A Game With That Team'" (published February 2025). The report relies on anonymous interviews with current and former id Software employees. No other sources were used. All statistics (30% staff reduction) are estimates derived from the report's description of the layoffs as "shockingly deep" and affecting "many senior developers." The exact number of employees laid off was not disclosed. This article was last updated on March 25, 2025.