In early July 2026, Microsoft announced significant layoffs affecting 3,200 employees, including those at id Software, the studio known for the Doom and Quake franchises. Reports indicated that id Software faced a bleak future, with many developers laid off, particularly those who contributed to the success of Doom (2016). Hugo Martin, the director of the latest Doom trilogy, publicly refuted these claims, asserting that the studio had not been diminished to a mere support role. However, this optimism was met with skepticism from current and former employees, who expressed disappointment over Martin's comments, feeling that they undermined the contributions of those who were let go. According to sources, approximately two-thirds of the team that worked on Doom (2016) was laid off, which included key developers. The layoffs were particularly disheartening for those who had invested significant time and effort into the project, with some stating that the studio's current state was a result of a previous tumultuous period that nearly led to its collapse. The cancellation of Doom 4 had already left a mark on the studio, and the subsequent success of Doom (2016) came after years of intense labor and crunch. The situation at id Software raises concerns about its ability to produce future triple-A titles under Microsoft's expectations, especially given the recent turnover and layoffs.
