Id Software Is Still "Chaotic" Months After Layoffs

Published Sep 24, 2026, 12:49 PM EDT Joshua Robertson is an editor for TheGamer, having working in news, guides, features, and reviews since 2022. They have written thousands of news stories, ranging from industry-breaking events, to smaller, more personal community pieces, and have covered several high-profile showcases such as The Game Awards and Nintendo Directs. Joshua is considered an expert in soulslikes, horror, JRPGs and everything Final Fantasy, having written extensive coverage for massively popular online titles like Final Fantasy 14. It's a real shame what's happened to id Software over the past few months. Arguably one of the most important developers of our time, it's now been reduced to a complete shell of what it once was thanks to Microsoft's ongoing mass layoffs, which saw a whopping 75 percent of the studio lose their jobs. According to a statement from id Software itself, there's still enough people on the team to make a game though, as it's now down to the same number of employees it was at when it made Doom (2016). On the official level, it seems like everything has settled down, and the studio can move on to its next project. On an unofficial level, it sounds like things are still hugely chaotic. Xbox Is Reportedly Giving id Software Unrealistic Deadlines In a recent report by Aftermath, an anonymous id Software employee has gone on record to explain just what life is like at the studio months after the layoffs. According to them, everything is still extremely "chaotic", and that the only clear communication the studio has had from Xbox is that it wants profits, and quickly. "While there has been an attempt to communicate to the studios, it is still entirely in bulls**t corporate speak," says the employee. "I still don't believe they have a clear vision for the future. The only concrete thing they have communicated is they want higher profits, and they want it now. Aggressive goals are being set that would have been unrealistic even before the layoffs." Understandably, having higher ups constantly hounding you with unrealistic expectations (along with the loss of 75 percent of the studio) has utterly shattered employee morale, and workers within Xbox apparently have "a dim view of the future." They also claim that the "incompetence of Xbox management" is making things worse on a fairly regular basis. It sounds like Xbox at its core, especially given what we know about the unrealistic targets it likes to set itself. Xbox's new CEO, Asha Sharma, somehow believes the platform can achieve one billion daily players, while the company has always overestimated just how appealing Xbox Game Pass is, having fallen short of its targets almost constantly. It's not surprising to hear that Xbox may be placing similarly ridiculous targets on the studios it owns, but hopefully, those remaining at id Software can push them aside and actually make something they're passionate about again. Released May 15, 2025 ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence Developer(s) id Software Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer’s legend. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. DOOM: The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. REIGN IN HELL - As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for. STAND AND FIGHT - Experience an epic story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war. DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMS - In his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id's largest and most expansive levels to date. Genre(s) FPS, Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy