In a nutshell

• Id Software confirms 136 layoffs across Texas and remote roles.
• Devs say Doom studio reduced to “support size” and engine team gutted.
• Fallout hits morale as Doom: The Dark Ages DLC launches amid cuts.

Following the layoffs as part of the big “XBOX Reset,” a new report says that Id Software, responsible for DOOM, has also been hit with layoffs.

Brutal Cuts at Doom Studio

According to Game Developer, A WARN notice filed in Texas revealed that 96 employees in Richardson and 40 remote staff were laid off, totaling 136 job losses. Former Id Software VFX artist Derek Best described the cuts as “brutal,” claiming decades of expertise were wiped out, including the elimination of nearly the entire VFX team and key engine programmers.

Tech and Talent Lost

Best criticized Microsoft’s decision, saying the layoffs destroyed technological progress, such as particle editor improvements and procedural modeling pipelines for Doom: The Dark Ages. He warned that Id may be forced to abandon its proprietary idTech engine and shift to Unreal, calling the move “supremely short sighted.”

Fallout Amid DLC Launch

Id VFX artist Todd Boyce condemned the timing, noting the layoffs came just before the release of a major Doom: The Dark Ages expansion. He said developers had crunched unpaid overtime to finish the DLC, only to be met with “insanity and despicable corporate greed.” The Frankfurt studio’s status remains unclear.

Other Layoffs at Xbox

Another report by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier states that Obsidian Entertainment has canceled multiple projects, including a planned sequel to Avowed, while laying off a quarter of its staff.

A new Fallout game is where the studio’s resources will be shifted to, led by design director Josh Sawyer, who previously directed Fallout: New Vegas.