Microsoft's recent cuts have sparked rumors and concerns about the future of id Software, the beloved maker of DOOM. The studio has been hit hard by layoffs, leading to speculation about the fate of its iconic id Tech engine and the team's ability to produce future games. However, despite the callousness of Microsoft's bean counters, I'm confident that id Software will endure. Microsoft has no plans to shelve id Tech, and the studio's headcount is similar to what it was for DOOM (2016), suggesting that the core team remains intact. While the cuts have been brutal, id Software's expertise in id Tech is still strong, and Microsoft has no plans to shift the studio to Unreal Engine. In fact, investing in id Tech could benefit Microsoft in the long run, as it would reduce reliance on vendors and prevent monopolistic price increases. However, Microsoft's quarterly thinking and lack of investment in Xbox's platform and social features have contributed to the challenges facing traditional gaming. The future of Xbox and id Software remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure: DOOM is eternal and will outlive Microsoft's bad decision-making. Personally, I think that Microsoft should invest more in id Tech, not less. What makes this particularly fascinating is that the cuts at id Software have hit the teams that develop id Tech hard, with decades of expertise wiped out overnight. In my opinion, Microsoft would have to be miserably short-sighted to deprecate id Tech, as it would open them up to monopolistic price increases down the line. This raises a deeper question: how can Microsoft balance its quarterly thinking with long-term investments in its most staple and recognizable IP? A detail that I find especially interesting is that the remaining id Software core team is roughly the same as it was when DOOM (2016) shipped, suggesting that the studio's quality bar remains high despite the smaller headcount. What this really suggests is that id Software's expertise and talent are still strong, and the studio is well-positioned to produce future games. However, it remains to be seen what id Software will build next, as the studio has been working on a variety of pitches, including a Perfect Dark reboot and a Western-styled shooter dubbed Ironwood. If you take a step back and think about it, the cuts at id Software reflect a challenging time in traditional gaming, with increased costs and lack of investment in younger cohorts. This has led to a contraction in core gaming, as younger players drop consoles in favor of mobile devices and non-gaming activities. Nevertheless, the future of Xbox and id Software is uncertain, and it remains to be seen how Microsoft will navigate the challenges facing traditional gaming. One thing is for sure: DOOM is eternal, and it will outlive Microsoft's bad decision-making.
