id Software Current Staffing Similar To Doom (2016), Layoffs Shelved New IP ‘Fury’ & Doom Co-Op

Big changes are underway for talent at XBOX Game Studios. One of the most-anticipated projects, Marvel’s Blade, is safe from the decision. While development proceeds, its reported the budget has swelled leading to Microsoft shopping the exit of Arkane Lyon from its first-party network. Similarly, changes at Obsidian Entertainment also revealed that plans for an Avowed sequel is no longer in the playbook with a new Fallout title to be focused on instead.

Exploring the greater changes to be set for XBOX’s internal studios, Bethesda is being retooled to focus on five major IPs: Fallout, Doom, The Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, and Quake. Many of the franchises are due for new release and are money drivers for the publisher which answers for the decision being made. Veteran studio id Software was hit with over 100 layoffs in the move on Monday as one former developer described the motion in reducing the team to a “support studio size.”

Well on X, id Software has spoken out on the changes that hit the company. Despite the scale of employees exiting the Texas game studio, it is revealed that the developer still stands strong with a similar number of staffing comparable to Doom (2016). You can view the full letterhead below:

Despite the team speaking on behalf of the news that broke this week, there are still caveats from the decision. According to Games Beat, id Software had three projects no longer being pursued. One is a new Perfect Dark title that was being pitched by the developer. Another being a new IP codenamed ‘Fury’, is described as a John Wick experience type game. And Doom was also being toyed with for a new co-op experience from id Software too.

The decision does fall in line with a recent report that broke earlier on. It was revealed that leadership is potentially entertaining in making XBOX into its own independent venture which would lead to faster development times for its tentpole IPs like Halo as well as Fallout & The Elder Scrolls. You can read the full report by heading here.

What is your thoughts on this new development for id Software?

Source: Games Beat