The Sledgehammer Comes Down on id Software

The news out of Redmond this week has been dire for fans of id Software’s beloved FPS franchise, Doom. Reports indicate that the developer is losing nearly half its staff as part of a broader restructuring effort at Xbox parent company Microsoft. While neither Microsoft nor id Software have officially confirmed the layoffs, sources close to the matter suggest that up to 90 jobs may be on the chopping block.

This news follows closely on the heels of Microsoft’s mass layoff announcement earlier this week, which saw the company eliminate over 1,600 roles across its various game studios. The cuts are part of a broader effort by Microsoft to “reset” Xbox and refocus on its biggest franchises – including Doom, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Wolfenstein.

The layoffs at id Software may signal that the developer is no longer a priority for ZeniMax Media, the parent company of id Software. Despite id’s focus on Doom in recent years, launching a new game in 2025 and an expansion to that title just last July, this shift in priorities seems like a convenient excuse.

id Software’s unionized staff, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have yet to reach an agreement with Microsoft on a first contract. CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. accused Microsoft of “slow-walking” union members at the bargaining table, preventing them from accessing protections afforded by a union contract in a statement responding to the layoffs.

The situation is complicated further by id Software’s labor neutrality agreement with the CWA, which should have ensured their recognition as a unionized workplace. However, it appears that Microsoft’s commitment to neutrality may be nothing more than lip service – especially when it comes time to negotiate fair severance packages for laid-off employees.

The cuts at id Software are not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend in the gaming industry. As companies consolidate and refocus on their biggest franchises, we’re seeing a worrying trend towards job insecurity and exploitation of developers. The industry should take a hard look at its practices and consider what it means to prioritize profit over people.

The impact of these layoffs will be felt far beyond id Software’s walls. The loss of skilled developers, many of whom have been working on Doom projects, could have significant implications for the game’s future. Will we see continued innovation and risk-taking or a stale, formulaic franchise? Only time will tell.

As the gaming industry grapples with the consequences of these layoffs, one thing is clear: it’s not just about numbers – it’s about people. The developers who have poured their hearts and souls into id Software’s games deserve better than to be treated as disposable cogs in a corporate machine. Behind every game are real people with families, bills to pay, and dreams to chase.

The question now is what will happen next? Will the CWA continue to push for fair severance packages and improved working conditions or will id Software’s staff be forced to accept a “business as usual” approach that prioritizes profits over people? Only time will tell.