Xbox layoffs id Software Doom reports have landed in a rough week for the studio. Just as id Software rolls out the first major DLC (extra downloadable content) for Doom: The Dark Ages, Eurogamer reports that around half of the studio’s staff may be affected by Microsoft’s round of cuts.
What’s happening at id Software
Xbox plans to cut roughly 3,200 jobs between now and the end of its 2027 financial year. Some studios, including Undead Labs and Compulsion Games, are being spun off to go independent. Others now face an uncertain future with no clear path forward.
The hardest hit area appears to be ZeniMax, the division that includes several major Bethesda studios. id Software sits inside that group, and reports name it as one of the studios hit hardest by the cuts.
The claim that around half of id’s staff may be affected comes from reporting, not an official company statement. So the exact figure may still change. What seems clear is that id Software has been affected, and the timing lines up with the launch of its new add-on.
id Software led the modern Doom revival and helped rebuild the series’ reputation. Staff cuts at that same studio, right as new content ships, were always going to draw attention.
What this could mean for players
The Doom: The Dark Ages add-on has already launched, so short-term support appears to be in place for now. The bigger concern is what comes after that. Long-term content becomes harder to judge if the team shrinks by a large margin. id’s next project also faces new questions, and wider cuts across ZeniMax could affect Bethesda’s broader plans beyond Doom.
The news also lands during a divided moment for Doom: The Dark Ages. The game moved toward slower, heavier combat built around a shield and parry system. That marked a clear shift away from the faster run-and-gun style of Doom Eternal. Some players like the change and say it makes the Slayer feel more like a warrior. Blocking and reflecting attacks give fights a different rhythm.
Other players remain unconvinced. Complaints focus on the removal of classic Glory Kills, the slower pace, and design changes such as the reworked Baron enemy. Some players also point to weaker graphics and performance issues on lower-end hardware. Reported player scores tend to rate the game highly for sound design, optimization, and originality. They rate it lower for story and graphics, similar to how fans weighed in on other recent releases like Awaken.
The add-on was meant to give id Software a chance to answer some of that criticism directly. Instead, much of the talk now centers on whether the studio still has enough people to keep building on Doom’s comeback. If you are deciding where to spend this generation, it also helps to compare platforms, including our look at Xbox options for 2026.
Is the Doom: The Dark Ages add-on still playable and supported? Yes, it has launched and appears to be working as planned right now.
How many id Software staff are affected? Reports point to around half the studio, though Microsoft has not confirmed an exact number.
Will this affect id Software’s next game? It is too early to say, but a major staff cut raises clear questions about future projects.
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