‘To Continue Being Produced Long Term, Games Need to Succeed, Not Just Be Beloved’ — John Carmack Responds to id Software Layoffs
Microsoft’s gaming division continues major restructuring under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, resulting in significant layoffs at id Software. According to a WARN notice filed in Texas, id Software has laid off 136 workers—approximately 50% of its workforce—including 96 positions in Richardson, Texas and 40 remote roles. The cuts are part of a broader Microsoft gaming reset that began with 1,600 layoffs announced Monday, with an additional 1,600 positions planned for elimination during the remainder of the financial year. Four Xbox studios have already been closed, with another closure imminent.
The layoffs at id Software, the studio behind the Doom franchise, came just as the studio released an expansion for Doom: The Dark Ages. Studio co-founder John Carmack responded on social media, expressing sadness but acknowledging that his previous confidence in “Microsoft being a good steward of the brand” has “not aged well.” Carmack noted that “to continue being produced long term, games need to succeed, not just be beloved,” suggesting the cuts reflect financial necessity. He urged against automatically assuming executives are idiots, though his comments reflected clear disappointment with developments that will “dampen the mood” of an upcoming founder reunion at QuakeCon.