John Romero, co-founder of id Software, has shared an emotional message following the latest round of layoffs at the studio behind "DOOM," "Quake," and "Wolfenstein."
The job cuts are part of Microsoft's restructuring of its Xbox division, which has affected multiple studios and projects across the gaming business.
Romero expressed support for the developers impacted by the layoffs while emphasizing the importance of preserving the legacy of one of the most influential game studios in history.
John Romero Pays Tribute to id Software Developers
In a post shared on social media, Romero reflected on the emotional toll of seeing talented developers leave a studio that has shaped the first-person shooter genre for more than three decades.
I'm so sorry for everyone at id Software affected by these layoffs.
— John Romero 🤘🏽 (@romero) July 7, 2026
I know what it feels like to leave id while id goes on. It's a strange and painful thing to step away from a place that holds so much of your work, friendships and history.
The people at id have done a great... pic.twitter.com/jxFFJ2bsFq
Having co-founded id Software in 1991, Romero said he understands the bonds formed through years of game development and praised the current team for continuing the studio's legacy.
He noted that maintaining iconic franchises requires not only technical skill but also a deep appreciation for what those games represent to generations of players.
The 58-year-old game developer thanked the developers for their contributions and acknowledged the passion they have brought to some of gaming's most celebrated series.
Romero Highlights the Importance of Preserving Gaming History
Alongside his reaction to the layoffs, Romero also spoke about preserving id Software's history.
He revealed that he has personally archived the company's early development history, covering the period from its beginnings at Softdisk through August 1996. According to Romero, the archive includes source materials, development documents, artwork, and other records that may no longer exist within the studio itself.
According to Kotaku, he also expressed hope that someone is preserving the company's more recent history, including game assets, development stories, and the contributions of the people who helped build id Software into one of the industry's most respected developers.
Romero added that his archive will eventually be donated to The Strong National Museum of Play, allowing future generations to study the history of one of gaming's most influential studios.
Reports Point to Significant Workforce Reductions
Although Microsoft has not disclosed the exact number of layoffs at id Software, multiple reports indicate that the Texas-based studio experienced substantial workforce reductions during the latest Xbox restructuring.
Several former employees have publicly confirmed their departures, including longtime systems programmer Michael Maynard, who spent more than 20 years at id Software working on games such as "RAGE" and "DOOM: The Dark Ages."
Maynard described the layoffs as heartbreaking, particularly given the studio's long-standing reputation as a pioneer of the first-person shooter genre.
Xbox Restructuring Raises Questions About id Software's Future
The layoffs are part of Microsoft's latest effort to streamline its gaming business following the acquisition of Bethesda parent company, ZeniMax Media, and, later, Activision Blizzard.
Reports suggest Bethesda will place greater emphasis on its biggest franchises while aligning development priorities more closely with Xbox's long-term strategy.
Only time will tell where Romero is headed next.
