Id Software Reportedly Loses Half Its Staff in Layoffs

Following the sweeping restructuring at Microsoft, which involves a massive reduction of 3,200 staff members across its gaming division, legendary studio id Software has faced significant internal upheaval. Reports indicate that the iconic developer, responsible for shaping the first-person shooter genre, has been forced to let go of approximately half of its workforce.

According to Game Developer, multiple sources confirm that the studio’s headcount has been slashed by 50 percent, a devastating figure corroborated by senior staff members via LinkedIn. The cuts appear to have hit the Quality Assurance department with particular severity. It remains to be seen how these layoffs impact the studio’s workforce, especially given that a large portion of the team had successfully organized into a wall-to-wall union late last year.

This news comes on the heels of the 2025 release of Doom: The Dark Ages, which garnered critical acclaim, and the announcement of its new narrative expansion, Revelations. Established in 1991, the Texas-based developer remains a pillar of gaming history, having pioneered foundational titles such as Wolfenstein 3D, Quake, and the Doom series before its acquisition by ZeniMax and subsequent transition to Xbox ownership in 2021.

id Software co-founder John Romero expressed deep empathy for the impacted staff on social media. “I know what it feels like to leave id while id goes on,” Romero shared. “It is a uniquely painful experience to walk away from a legacy you helped build… The team has done an incredible job honoring the weight of the Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein names, consistently demonstrating genuine care and mastery.”

The broader Xbox reorganization has sent shockwaves through the Bethesda and ZeniMax ecosystem. Beyond the cuts at id Software, several other studios are seeing major changes; Arkane Studios is being spun off, while other developers such as Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, Undead Labs, and Ninja Theory are either transitioning to independence or being divested to new owners.

We have reached out to representatives at Bethesda and ZeniMax for further clarification and will provide updates as more information becomes available.