Despite the massive wave of layoffs at Microsoft, id Software is already developing a new installment in the Doom series, which is currently in the early concept phase.
Industry insider Tom Warren confirmed the project, while the studio simultaneously has to cope with the loss of 136 employees – roughly half of its previous workforce. The Frankfurt office lost six of its twelve employees.
Consolidation after the clear-cutting
The layoffs hit id Software right at the release of the latest DLC, Revelations, for "Doom: The Dark Ages." Ninety-six employees at the main location in Richardson, Texas, as well as 40 remote workers, were laid off. The layoffs primarily affected the quality assurance and engineering teams.
The studio dismissed fears of being relegated to a purely support role. The remaining staff is the same size as during the development of Doom (2016).
That's a realistic comparison. However, major projects in 2026 will require significantly more resources than ten years ago.
Retention of the id Tech engine
Critics feared the end of in-house engine development and a forced switch to Unreal Engine 5. Microsoft denied these reports. According to official statements, dozens of engineers continue to work at various locations on the in-house id Tech. The remaining six employees in Frankfurt now form the core of the remaining engine team.
Practice reveals a clear pattern in modern tech management. Large publishers lay off specialized developers after completing a project to minimize fixed costs during the early concept phase of the sequel. Once production of the new Doom game begins, the studio is temporarily scaled up again.
The new Doom project currently exists only on paper. The restructuring demonstrates that Microsoft considers the Doom brand a strategic priority despite the job cuts. Furthermore, retaining the id Tech engine secures the technical core that is typical of the Texas-based developer's shooters. A release before 2029 is unrealistic.
