Microsoft layoffs hit id Software and Bethesda hard
Half of id's team laid off, including most coders, per reports.
Microsoft's recent announcement of 3,200 layoffs across Xbox has now been confirmed to include severe cuts at id Software and Bethesda, two of its most storied game studios. According to multiple sources, including veteran programmer Michael Maynard, roughly 50% of id Software's team was laid off—approximately 90 employees—with reports indicating that most programmers were let go. Co-founder John Romero expressed sorrow, praising the current team's work on franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein, and urged Microsoft to preserve the studio's code and documents.
At Bethesda, the impact was similarly heavy. IGN obtained an email from Bethesda President Jill Braff thanking laid-off staff and noting that the company must transform to focus on its strongest franchises. Kotaku reports that up to half of the developers behind The Elder Scrolls Online were let go. The shift raises concerns for newer titles like Starfield, as Microsoft plans an additional 1,600 layoffs this fiscal year. The cuts mark a somber chapter for two legendary developers, with remaining staff facing an uncertain future.
- id Software lost about 50% of its staff (90 employees), including most coders, according to insider reports.
- Bethesda Studios were hit particularly hard, with up to half of The Elder Scrolls Online team laid off.
- Bethesda's president says the company must focus on strongest franchises, potentially impacting Starfield and ESO.
Why It Matters
Microsoft's deep cuts at iconic studios threaten future game development and industry morale.