id Software says it can still build DOOM and its tech after major Xbox layoffs

id Software has moved to calm concerns about its future after reports of major layoffs across the studio raised questions about whether the DOOM developer could continue operating at its usual level. The studio acknowledged that it was affected by Xbox’s latest round of cuts, but said the remaining team still has the people needed to build the games and technology it is known for.

The situation followed a wave of layoffs tied to Xbox’s wider restructuring. Reports claimed that id Software had lost a large share of its staff, with one Texas WARN filing pointing to 136 layoffs from a team of around 185 people. That number led to concern that the studio could be reduced to a support role or lose the ability to maintain its own id Tech engine.

Those fears grew after another report suggested the id Tech team had been reduced to only one engineer. If true, that would have raised serious questions about whether id Software could continue using and evolving its own engine at a time when Unreal Engine 5 is becoming more common across the industry.

id Software says its current team is close in size to the DOOM 2016 crew

In a public statement, id Software said the layoffs were spread across teams and that the studio still has the crew it needs. The company also said its current team is about the same size as the one that built DOOM 2016. That comparison appears designed to reassure fans that a smaller team does not automatically mean id Software can no longer make major games.

The studio also pushed back against the idea that it is becoming only a support team. An update from The Verge’s Tom Warren said id Software is not a support studio and that work has already begun on a new DOOM game. That detail is important because it suggests the studio still has an active future as a lead developer, not simply a technical or production support group for other Xbox teams.

Even so, the situation is not fully settled. A smaller id Software may still face real challenges, especially if the layoffs affected engine development, tools, production, or support roles that are less visible but essential to shipping large games. DOOM 2016 was made by a smaller team than many modern blockbusters, but development expectations have grown since then. Games now often require larger pipelines, longer support windows, and more technical complexity.

The bigger question is whether id Software can maintain the same standard while also continuing to support its technology. The studio has built much of its identity around fast, polished shooters and strong engine work. DOOM 2016 and DOOM Eternal helped restore the franchise’s reputation, while id Tech remained a key part of the studio’s technical profile.

The timing also matters. DOOM: The Dark Ages recently received its Revelations DLC, which id Software described as its strongest content yet. That gives the studio a current release to support while it prepares for whatever comes next.

For now, id Software is trying to project stability. The studio says it still has enough talent to continue making the games and technology that defined it for 35 years. Reports of a new DOOM project also suggest the studio’s future is not limited to support work. Still, after such deep cuts, fans will likely watch closely to see whether the next id Software game can meet the expectations built by its recent DOOM releases.