Id Software has cut a substantial portion of its workforce, a move that has deeply impacted its co-founder John Carmack, who shared his thoughts publicly amid widespread industry layoffs. The cuts affect over half of the staff, casting a shadow over the recent release of new downloadable content for Doom: The Dark Ages, a project meant to celebrate the studio’s legacy rather than mourn it.
Carmack acknowledged the tough position the studio faces within the broader market, noting that beloved franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein no longer guarantee commercial success. He suggested that from Microsoft's perspective, Id Software operated as a marginal business, sustained partly by revenues from hits like Minecraft. Carmack emphasized that games now must achieve strong financial results to remain viable because competition for players' time and money has intensified dramatically.
While Carmack did not blame Microsoft directly for the layoffs, he reflected critically on the evolving challenges of the gaming industry. He proposed that alternative strategies might have helped Id Software perform better, such as rethinking pricing models, accelerating production cycles, reducing costs, or expanding marketing to reach untapped audiences who would appreciate the games. Carmack also considered whether adapting game design to appeal to a broader player base—without alienating loyal fans—could have offered a path to growth.
The Doom reboot in 2016 was widely praised for revitalizing the franchise by blending classic elements with modern gameplay. However, subsequent efforts like Doom: The Dark Ages, which introduced a slower, more methodical Doom Slayer, received mixed reactions. The latest Revelations DLC aims to combine these contrasting styles to re-engage fans with a balanced approach, though it underscores the studio’s ongoing quest to find its footing amid shifting market demands.