id Software's future after layoffs: impact on Doom and new projects

Briefly summarized

• id Software has lost more than half of its staff due to recent layoffs.
• The studio had several new game concepts in development, including a co-op Doom and a Perfect Dark game.
• The future of the studio and its iconic franchises is now at stake.

GAME-scanner analysis

The recent layoffs at id Software, which affected 92 of the studio’s 185 employees, are a major blow to the team behind influential franchises like Doom. This comes just as the studio had finished work on the DLC pack for Doom: The Dark Ages, which reportedly sold fewer than one million copies. The financial pressure could seriously affect the creativity and development of new projects such as a co-op Doom game and a Perfect Dark reboot.

There are rumors that id Software was exploring several ideas for future projects, including a John Wick-inspired game codenamed Fury and a survival game inspired by Westworld. The cancellation of Perfect Dark’s reboot by The Initiative may have prompted a rethink of that franchise at id Software, raising the question of whether the studio can still bring these projects to life with a significantly reduced team.

What does this mean for players?

For players, this means the future of beloved franchises like Doom and Perfect Dark is uncertain. With fewer staff and fewer resources, development cycles could become longer and game quality could be put at risk. Fans of the Doom series may need to prepare for a longer wait for new content, while the potential for innovative new experiences could also diminish.

Related GAME-scanner articles

• The impact of layoffs at id Software on the game industry
• id Software and ZeniMax Online: a heavy blow to the game industry
• The future of Doom in danger due to layoffs at id Software