In a shocking move that’s left many in the VR community reeling, id Software has been hit with a devastating round of layoffs that have decimated its development team. According to sources close to the matter, two-thirds of the remaining developers who worked on the critically acclaimed Doom (2016) were let go as part of Microsoft’s ongoing restructuring efforts at Xbox.
The news comes just days after co-director Hugo Martin attempted to reassure fans and employees alike that id Software was still intact, stating that the studio had retained its original size from 10 years ago. However, multiple anonymous sources have come forward to contradict this claim, revealing that many key team members who worked on Doom (2016) were indeed laid off in the latest round of cuts.
It’s worth noting that id Software has a long history with Doom, and the 2016 game was no exception. With its development spanning over seven years, it took an absurd amount of crunch to bring this masterpiece to life. The fact that many key individuals who worked on the project were part of the layoffs is nothing short of heartbreaking for fans of the series.
Sources have also revealed that id Software’s workforce has been significantly reduced since its heyday in 2016. With a massive turnover and exodus between 2010 and 2011, the studio was left in an “awful spot,” only to be saved by a hiring spree in 2013-2014 for the final push on Doom (2016). The fact that many of these key employees were let go in the latest round of cuts raises serious questions about the future of id Software and its ability to deliver successful projects moving forward.
As we’ve reported earlier, this is not an isolated incident. Many other studios, including ZeniMax Online Studios, have been hit with similar layoffs, leaving a trail of devastated employees and fans who are still reeling from the news. The Xbox cuts have been described as “needlessly brutal and self-defeating,” and it’s hard to disagree when looking at the sheer number of talented developers who’ve lost their jobs overnight.
Game Developer has reached out to Microsoft for comment, but so far, we haven’t received a response. However, one thing is certain: this development will have far-reaching consequences for the VR community as a whole. With id Software and other key studios struggling to retain talent and experience, it’s unclear how they’ll be able to deliver the same level of quality that fans expect from their games.
As we move forward into an uncertain future, one thing is certain: the VR community will be watching with bated breath to see how these developments unfold. Will id Software be able to recover from this devastating blow, or will it mark the end of an era for this beloved studio? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – we’ll be keeping a close eye on this story as it continues to develop.
Source: Game Developer XR — 2026-07-20