DOOM Developer Id Software Loses 50% of Its Staff in Layoffs

News about layoffs in the gaming industry keeps coming, with Id Software being our focus. The iconic FPS developer has reportedly had its staff count reduced by half, and it worsens an already sad state of affairs.

Id Software has single-handedly made the FPS genre what it is, thanks to its work on the DOOM, Wolfenstein, RAGE, and Quake franchises.

But even the mighty can fall, and we’ve learned that the talented developer has had its staff cut by as much as 50%.

Id Software Loses Roughly 50% of Staff

July 6, 2026, was a historic day for all the wrong reasons for XBOX.

It was announced that approximately 3,200 jobs would be cut. There has been a significant knock-on effect before and after all of this, and one company that has been hit hard is Id Software.

Michael Maynard, now a former senior gameplay systems programmer, worked at Id for 21 years and publicly commented on the layoffs on LinkedIn:

‘Yes, I was part of the team (roughly 50% of the company) that was let go today. (I was there for OVER 20 years! RAGE through DOOM: Dark Ages). Sad but, I’ve been doing this (video games) for over 40 years so, not a huge surprise to me. Just really sad that this is how Id Software, the PIONEER/INNOVATOR of FPS action games is relegated to just another “reorganization” of assets.’

This follows recent reports that ZeniMax was impacted by Xbox layoffs and would focus on its “Biggest Franchises.”

Work seems to be continuing for anyone still at Id, as Wolfenstein 3 and the Wolfenstein TV Show are still in development.

It’s just how the world works: The cogs keep turning, and the wheels keep spinning like nothing ever happened.

If you want to support Id, consider checking out the new Revelations DLC for DOOM: The Dark Ages.

What are your favorite Id Software memories or games? Let us know via the official Insider Gaming Discord Server.

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