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id Software lead: Microsoft cut 136 roles, left studio 'half' and morale low

Microsoft cut 136 roles at id Software during an Xbox-wide reset. Chris Hays, id's lead services programmer, said the layoffs were announced one day before Doom: The Dark Ages DLC launch, gutted entire departments, and left the studio with roughly half its people. Hays described morale as very low, called the process inhumane and demoralising, and said making AAA games at previous quality is now impossible without a clear plan. The studio-level staff have not been given a communicated path for how development will continue post-cuts.

• Microsoft eliminated 136 positions at id Software as part of a wider Xbox restructuring.
• The layoffs were announced one day before the Doom: The Dark Ages DLC released, interrupting post-crunch launch plans.
• Chris Hays, lead services programmer, said entire disciplines and departments were gutted, leaving the studio about half its previous size and struggling to deliver AAA work.
• Studio staff report low morale, describe the process as inhumane, and say Microsoft has not communicated a concrete plan for continuing game development.