GamesBeat: id Software cuts leave Quake future unclear
A new report by Dean Takahashi from GamesBeat provides more details about the recent layoffs at id Software. According to the article, at least 92 of the studio’s roughly 185 full-time employees were cut, or more than 50% of the staff. The layoffs came shortly after id shipped Revelations DLC for DOOM: The Dark Ages. A separate WARN notice listed 136 id Software roles affected in total.
The cuts reportedly hit many departments across the studio, including AI programming, technical design, rendering, level design, gameplay design, combat design, the game engine team, environment art, and Quake Champions. For arena shooter fans, the most worrying detail is that, according to GamesBeat, “no one appears to be working on Quake” right now. This comes shortly after Bethesda reportedly listed Quake among its core franchises following the broader Xbox cuts.
Before the layoffs, id Software was exploring several possible projects. These reportedly included an original John Wick-style game called Fury, a potential new Perfect Dark project, and multiplayer, co-op, and DLC ideas for DOOM. With a much smaller team left at the studio, it is unclear which of these ideas, if any, can move forward.
The report also raises questions about the future of id Tech 8, id Software’s proprietary engine. GamesBeat notes that some Microsoft game studios, including Halo Studios, have been moving toward standardizing on Unreal Engine, while id has traditionally relied on its own technology for the speed and visual identity of games like DOOM.
The timing is especially unfortunate for Quake fans. The original id Software founders are set to reunite in Dallas this August for the 30th anniversary of Quake at QuakeCon, while the future of the franchise itself remains unclear.
The cuts reportedly hit many departments across the studio, including AI programming, technical design, rendering, level design, gameplay design, combat design, the game engine team, environment art, and Quake Champions. For arena shooter fans, the most worrying detail is that, according to GamesBeat, “no one appears to be working on Quake” right now. This comes shortly after Bethesda reportedly listed Quake among its core franchises following the broader Xbox cuts.
Before the layoffs, id Software was exploring several possible projects. These reportedly included an original John Wick-style game called Fury, a potential new Perfect Dark project, and multiplayer, co-op, and DLC ideas for DOOM. With a much smaller team left at the studio, it is unclear which of these ideas, if any, can move forward.
The report also raises questions about the future of id Tech 8, id Software’s proprietary engine. GamesBeat notes that some Microsoft game studios, including Halo Studios, have been moving toward standardizing on Unreal Engine, while id has traditionally relied on its own technology for the speed and visual identity of games like DOOM.
The timing is especially unfortunate for Quake fans. The original id Software founders are set to reunite in Dallas this August for the 30th anniversary of Quake at QuakeCon, while the future of the franchise itself remains unclear.
