“They Don’t Understand Art”: id Software Vet Slams Microsoft Layoffs
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft laid off approximately half of the id Software workforce in July 2026, eliminating over 130 roles across multiple departments.
- Lead Services Programmer Chris Hays publicly criticized Xbox leadership, stating the corporation does not understand game development or the required business model.
- The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board to challenge the legality of the sudden dismissals.
Chris Hays Slams Microsoft Over id Software Layoffs
Lead Services Programmer Chris Hays openly criticized Microsoft following the massive workforce reduction at id Software. Hays detailed the internal fallout during a recent appearance on the Auf ein Bier podcast. The veteran developer confirmed that Microsoft terminated nearly half of the studio personnel in July.
The cuts occurred immediately before id Software launched the Revelations DLC for DOOM: The Dark Ages. Hays described the sudden dismissals as entirely demoralizing for the remaining staff. Management executed the layoffs via brief, anonymous digital calls.
Hays stated directly that Xbox executives fundamentally misunderstand game development. The programmer argued that corporate management prioritizes short-term fiscal quarters over long-term studio health.
Can id Software Still Make AAA Games?
id Software cannot currently develop a modern AAA game at the scale of DOOM: The Dark Ages with its reduced headcount. Chris Hays confirmed the studio now operates with fewer employees than it had during the development of DOOM (2016), making large-scale production nearly impossible without external support.
Xbox leadership previously issued talking points claiming the studio retained enough staff to continue normal operations. Hays explicitly rejected these corporate reassurances. He explained that Microsoft gutted essential departments, including the infrastructure team and key proprietary engine developers.
The veteran programmer emphasized that critical institutional knowledge vanished overnight. The studio lost the specific interpersonal cohesion that previously allowed the team to build highly optimized first-person shooters efficiently.
Also, learn more about Id Software’s massive layoff effect on the studio size!
Game Pass and the Fractured Xbox Business Model
The subscription ecosystem creates severe evaluation problems for internal Xbox studios. Hays noted that Microsoft heavily pushes day-one releases on Xbox Game Pass. This platform strategy inherently cannibalizes traditional unit sales across the PC and console markets.
However, corporate leadership still penalizes studios for poor direct sales figures. Hays expressed deep frustration over this contradiction. Bethesda developers do not receive clear performance metrics or tangible success criteria from Microsoft.
Hays explained that prior management under ZeniMax Media evaluated studios based on critical acclaim and overall quality. Microsoft replaced that standard with opaque financial targets. The corporation expects blockbuster profits while simultaneously conditioning the Xbox player base to avoid purchasing individual titles.
Union Action and the Future of DOOM
The remaining workers at id Software refuse to accept the current situation passively. The studio formalized its union under the Communications Workers of America (CWA) late last year. The organized committee immediately mobilized to contest the July workforce reduction.
Union representatives filed formal charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The organizers argue that Microsoft violated labor laws by executing these layoffs without engaging in decisional bargaining. The CWA demands that Microsoft negotiate severance terms and implement recall rights for the dismissed developers.
The future trajectory of the DOOM franchise remains uncertain. Microsoft consolidated the Bethesda roadmap to focus entirely on established properties, but id Software currently lacks the internal manpower to execute those mandates. The industry now awaits the outcome of the ongoing NLRB investigation.
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
Download the Allkeyshop Browser Extension Free
For all the latest video game news, trailers, and best deals, make sure to bookmark us.
You can find all the best and cheapest online deals on CD keys, game codes, gift cards, and antivirus software from the verified CD key sellers on our store pages.
To not miss any news on Allkeyshop, subscribe on
Google News
.
MORE RELEVANT ARTICLES
Comments (0)