'My Heart's With All of You' — John Romero Says id Software Has 'Done a Great Job' Moving the Studio's Legacy Forward and Hopes Someone Is Working to Preserve It All Amid Xbox Layoffs

John Romero has commented on the layoffs that have impacted Microsoft-owned id Software as part of sweeping cuts to the Xbox business. Yesterday, Microsoft gaming boss Asha Sharma announced the most “significant” restructure in Xbox history, with 1,600 staff let go immediately, and another 1,600 staff to follow over the course of the current financial year. As part of the restructure, four studios are leaving Xbox to new management, and one is now in consultation over its future. ZeniMax Media, which operates Bethesda, was hit hard by the layoffs. ZeniMax Online Studios has suffered significant cuts, forcing the remaining developers of The Elder Scrolls Online to rethink future content. And id Software is also heavily affected. The developer of Doom has lost 95 staff, according to former Bethesda Studios project lead Jeff Gardiner. Among them is principal character artist Denzil O’Neill, who worked on Doom The Dark Ages, Doom Eternal, and Doom over the course of 12 years at the studio. The Doom The Dark Ages expansion comes out this week. Romero, co-founder of id Software and the designer of Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, and Quake, took to social media to offer affected staff his support,