id Software, renowned for its iconic DOOM franchise, was actively developing several new game ideas before sweeping layoffs disrupted its plans. The studio, part of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios, faced job cuts that eliminated roughly half of its team, casting doubt over the future of these non-DOOM projects. This downsizing resulted from a broader strategy by Xbox to streamline its first-party studios and prioritize core intellectual properties.
Among the projects under consideration was a title called Fury, envisioned by id’s co-director Hugo Martin. Fury was designed to blend elements of sci-fi, noir, and urban gangster themes, with a "Gun Fu" style of gameplay combining intricate gunplay and martial arts, reminiscent of John Wick movies. Despite its potential, Fury never reached the approval stage. The studio also revisited the possibility of revitalizing the Perfect Dark series, a stealth-action franchise dormant since the early 2000s. Concept art was reportedly created before the cancellation of The Initiative’s Perfect Dark reboot, prompting id Software to consider taking on the project.
Another ambitious concept, Ironwood, proposed a survival game set in a robot-populated Western landscape. Its tone reportedly shared similarities with the HBO series Westworld, mixing futuristic elements with traditional frontier settings. These projects highlighted the studio’s intent to expand beyond DOOM’s universe.
While the layoffs devastated id Software’s capacity to pursue these new directions, the studio had no public plans to develop a new entry in its other classic series, Quake. The focus remains strongly on DOOM titles, following Xbox’s directive to emphasize proven franchises. With a significantly reduced team, the chance to see these innovative projects proceed is now minimal.
This episode underscores the broader restructuring impacting Xbox Game Studios, where thousands of roles were cut and multiple studios exited the portfolio. The move signals a tightened strategic focus that places established, successful properties above experimental endeavors within the Xbox ecosystem.