Doom: Dark Ages maker id Software is one of the most renowned game studios in the Xbox portfolio and also one of the teams hardest hit during the latest round of 1,600 layoffs. Creative Director Hugo Martin recently appeared on Twitch alongside Community Manager Joshua Boyle to stream the new 2025 game. Revelations DLC and addressed the recent conversations swirling around the studio on its future under Microsoft following significant cuts that affected longtime staff.
“There have been reports that we’ve been ‘nerved’ and ‘gutted’ and we have 50 people and that’s not true,” Martin said. towards the end of the live game. “We are the size we were when we created Loss 2016 and id Tech are alive and well. You have to understand that we have id Tech engineers in Frankfurt and at MachineGames. We collaborate a lot.
He continued: “The id Tech is here, the Loss The team is here and we’re excited to share more of what we’re working on with you in the future when it’s appropriate and approved.
This reiterates statements released by Microsoft and the studio last week, reject complaints that id Software would struggle to deliver another AAA game with its new staff levels or that its proprietary, best-in-class game engine, id Tech, would fall into disrepair after the studio’s director of engine technology and other essential staff were fired.
A number of employees who worked on Loss (2016) were also part of the reductions. Among them was Jerry Keehan, director of mission design, who joined id Software in 2003 and had been working on the franchise since Destiny 3. Some laid-off employees continue to reject the idea that the studio still has the same level of resources and seasoned staff as it did a decade ago.
During today’s Slayer stream, Martin discussed possible updates and balance changes that could come to the Revelations DLC coming soon. Meanwhile, he called it a tribute to the work of everyone still at id Software, as well as those recently laid off.
“Look, the fact that we’ve made a game that people love and that’s critically successful and commercially successful – like I said, it’s doing really well as far as predictions and everything else – it’s good for everyone, for the people at the studio, for the people who, unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to, I think that helps everyone and we really appreciate your support,” he said. “But the most important thing is that the games are good and I’m so happy that people, I don’t know… It’s just a good thing for everyone, it’s going to help. So we’re really here to play the game now and celebrate the work.”
The laid-off ID Software employees were among the tpipe that picketed in front of their old office today to protest the latest Xbox cuts. They are represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which organized Thursday filed labor complaints against Microsoft for refusing to negotiate with the union before laying off hundreds of game developers.
