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Bloody Sunday at id Software: Xbox Slashed, Doom Bleeds, Is Quake Next?
10.07.2026 By Paweł Kiśluk 3 min ...

Bloody Sunday at id Software: Xbox Slashed, Doom Bleeds, Is Quake Next?

Massive layoffs at Xbox Game Studios hit id Software hard, losing half its team including id Tech specialists right before the Doom: The Dark Ages DLC launch. The future of Doom and Quake hangs in the balance. What does this mean for fans?

Microsoft decided to slash costs, but this massacre hits id Software where it hurts. We're talking about a situation that leaves fans wondering what's next for one of the most legendary FPS studios out there. Especially with the Doom: The Dark Ages DLC dropping any day now. This ain't no joke – it's hardcore.

Game / Series Doom / Quake (id Software)
Genre FPS (First-Person Shooter)
Developer id Software
Publisher Bethesda Softworks (Microsoft)
Release Date Original Doom: 1993; Doom Eternal: 2020
Target Platforms PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Cover
id Software

Key Points in Brief:

  • id Software, FPS legends, lose half their team including id Tech specialists.
  • Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations DLC launches amid a staff bloodbath.
  • The future of Doom and Quake and the id Tech engine hangs in the balance.
  • Other Xbox studios like Undead Labs and Compulsion Games also struggle to stay alive.
  • Microsoft wants to save cash – but what about the fans?

Gorillas or Policy Casualties?

Microsoft swings a heavy ax – 3200 positions wiped out. id Software, Microsoft's crown jewel, takes a brutal hit. Word is up to 50% of the team got the boot, including the folks who really know id Tech inside out. These aren't just 'young guns' – they're veterans who've been in the trenches. AAA games in Poland now cost around 350-450 PLN. Can fans afford this kind of internal chaos? I doubt it. This ain't a scratch – it's a massacre.

Microsoft wanted to be the king of gaming, but now they've got blood on their hands. We're not talking about some small studios – id Software invented the FPS genre. What if instead of chasing 'hits', they invested in stability? They're spitting in the face of the entire community.

Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations – DLC in the Shadow of Apocalypse

Despite the dramatic layoffs, the Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations DLC is set to launch as planned. This expansion was meant to draw fans back into the brutal, demonically technological world of Doom. The question remains: what is the true significance of this DLC when behind the scenes, chaos reigns? Is this the final roar of a dying beast, or can what's left of the team manage to pull through? History shows that even after such blows, iconic franchises can rise from the ashes, but the cost of such a resurrection is enormous.

id Tech – The Heart and Soul of id Software

The id Tech engine is more than just technology – it's a symbol of innovation that has driven the Doom and Quake series for decades. Losing key specialists in id Tech means the continuation of the project is in serious doubt. Will Microsoft decide to switch to other engines? Could id Tech be abandoned, along with id Software's legacy? These are questions that keep fans awake at night. It's worth remembering that game engines are not just about technology – they're the DNA of a brand, determining style, performance, and creative possibilities.

The Future of Doom and Quake – Is There Still Hope?

The Doom and Quake franchises are not just games – they're culture. For years, they have defined the FPS market, setting standards for the entire industry. Now, with id Software losing so many key employees, the future of these iconic franchises hangs in the balance. Can new Doom or Quake titles be created without the original team? Will subsequent DLC be able to save the brand? The answers to these questions are not simple. One thing is certain: fans are watching the situation with growing concern.

Microsoft – King of Gaming or a King Without a Kingdom?

Microsoft, in trying to save money, risks not only losing the trust of fans but also undermines its position in the gaming market. While cost-cutting is understandable in business, one cannot ignore its impact on brands that are icons of gaming culture. The question is: are the savings from restructuring worth the potential loss of a legendary brand? Is Microsoft willing to pay such a high price for short-term financial benefits?

What do you think?

FAQ

Will id Software shut down?

There's no official word on closing the studio, but the layoffs are so severe that continuing development seems highly questionable.

What other Xbox studios are affected?

Studios like Undead Labs and Compulsion Games are also impacted and are trying to survive as independent entities after restructuring.

Will the 'Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations' DLC come out?

Yes, the DLC is set to launch as planned, though under the shadow of these dramatic layoffs.

Will id Tech be abandoned?

Everything suggests Microsoft might decide to switch to other engines, which would be a disaster for the brand. Losing key id Tech specialists puts the future of the project in serious doubt.

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About the Author

Paweł Kiśluk

Game enthusiast, developer, and creator of kvikee.com. He has been following gaming industry trends for years, blending technology with pure entertainment.
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