Microsoft's recent wave of layoffs has reportedly hit id Software hard, with the famed first-person shooter studio losing approximately 50 percent of its staff. This figure, reported by Game Developer and echoed by a former employee on LinkedIn, could mean around 90 job cuts. The layoffs are part of broader workforce reductions at Xbox, though specific departments impacted at id Software remain unclear.

Id Software, a unionized studio, is part of a larger organizational shift at Xbox. Bloomberg reported that Zeni Max Media, id Software's parent company, will prioritize its major franchises, including Doom. This focus might explain the cuts, although id Software is already heavily invested in its flagship series, with Doom: The Dark Ages slated for 2025 and an expansion due July 7, 2026.

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has criticized Microsoft for delaying contract negotiations with its unionized employees. The union plans to push for fair severance packages following the layoffs. These cuts are not isolated; Microsoft plans to lay off an additional 1,600 employees across Xbox in the coming months, indicating a significant restructuring within the division.