id Software Operations Following Microsoft’s 2024 Gaming Layoffs
Following the January 2024 announcement that Microsoft would lay off approximately 1,900 employees across its gaming division, id Software remains a core studio within the ZeniMax Media portfolio. While the reduction primarily affected Activision Blizzard, Xbox Game Studios, and ZeniMax teams, reports confirm that id Software—the developer behind the DOOM and Quake franchises—has continued its development operations in Texas.
Impact of Microsoft’s Workforce Reductions
In January 2024, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirmed a restructuring effort that resulted in the departure of 1,900 staff members. According to official statements from Microsoft, the decision was part of a larger plan to align the organization’s cost structure with its long-term strategy for the gaming business. While the layoffs touched multiple ZeniMax-owned studios, id Software’s specific headcount impact was not publicly detailed by the parent company.
The studio, headquartered in Richardson, Texas, has maintained its status as a key asset for Microsoft since the 2021 acquisition of ZeniMax Media. Unlike some other studios under the Xbox umbrella that faced project cancellations or significant pivot points, id Software has remained focused on its established technical pipelines.
Ongoing Development at id Software
id Software is currently recognized for its proprietary id Tech engine, which continues to be a foundational technology for various Bethesda Softworks projects. Following the 2020 release of DOOM Eternal, the studio has been working on future titles. In June 2024, at the Xbox Games Showcase, the company officially announced DOOM: The Dark Ages, a prequel set to launch in 2025.
This announcement served as a primary indicator of the studio’s stability. By showcasing a high-profile title, Microsoft signaled that the studio’s creative leadership and core technical teams remained intact despite the broader corporate layoffs earlier in the year. The game is scheduled for release on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PlayStation 5, maintaining the multiplatform strategy Microsoft has adopted for certain titles.
Studio Comparison: id Software and Other ZeniMax Entities
The landscape for ZeniMax-owned studios has shifted significantly since the acquisition. While id Software has moved forward with a new major release, other studios within the ZeniMax and Activision Blizzard families experienced more visible organizational changes.
| Studio | Status Post-2024 Restructuring |
|---|---|
| id Software | Active; developing DOOM: The Dark Ages. |
| Arkane Austin | Closed in May 2024 as part of a wider ZeniMax consolidation. |
| Tango Gameworks | Initially closed in May 2024, then acquired by Krafton in August 2024. |
Future Outlook
The future of id Software appears tied to its continued iteration of the id Tech engine and the expansion of the DOOM intellectual property. According to public job postings and promotional materials from Microsoft, the studio continues to recruit for technical roles in Texas. As of late 2024, no further structural changes specific to id Software have been announced by Microsoft, positioning the developer as one of the more stable units within the ZeniMax portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Did Microsoft close id Software? No, id Software remains an active studio under the ZeniMax and Xbox Game Studios umbrella.
- What is the next game from id Software? The studio is currently developing DOOM: The Dark Ages, announced for a 2025 release.
- How many people were laid off at id Software? Microsoft did not provide a studio-by-studio breakdown of the 1,900 employees affected by the January 2024 layoffs.