13/07/2026 10:26 - Entretenimiento
According to a report by Infobae on July 10, 2026, the legendary video game studio id Software—the pioneering team behind the iconic first-person shooters DOOM and Quake—faced a profound crisis following massive layoffs executed by Xbox. For those unfamiliar, id Software is widely considered the father of the modern first-person shooter genre, making this news particularly impactful for the global gaming community.
Following the success of DOOM: The Dark Ages in 2025, the studio sought to diversify its catalog. They reportedly presented several ambitious proposals to Xbox. One plan was to revive Perfect Dark, a beloved classic spy franchise originally created by Rare in the late 90s. This project would have utilized id Software's cutting-edge proprietary engine, the id Tech engine. Another pitch was a high-octane action game in the style of the 'John Wick' films. Codenamed 'Fury', it was reportedly envisioned by DOOM Director Hugo Martin and set in the criminal underworlds of Louisiana and Chicago.
Xbox reportedly rejected and shelved all these initiatives, leaving the studio without a clear direction. In December 2025, id Software allegedly had 185 employees. By July 2026, following the layoff of 136 workers, the team was reduced to just 49 people—the lowest headcount in the studio's long history.
Xbox's decision to decline these new projects has sparked a debate about the future of the studio and its legacy. Some laid-off developers reportedly mentioned on social media that the advanced id Tech engine technology might be left largely unused. There is also uncertainty regarding the Perfect Dark franchise, which could potentially be shelved indefinitely following the previously reported closure of Microsoft's 'The Initiative' studio, which had been working on its own reboot of the franchise.
While the corporate restructuring has been challenging, the incredible talent of those 136 affected developers is sure to shine elsewhere in the industry. The gaming community remains hopeful that these creative minds will form new studios or bring their expertise to other exciting projects, ensuring that the spirit of innovation they cultivated at id Software continues to thrive in the future.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
