Doom: The Dark Ages Director Claims Rumors That id Software Was ‘Nerfed Into The Ground’ Are False

After news began to circulate that the latest round of layoffs at XBOX, fans were concerned to learn that id Software, who released Doom: The Dark Ages last year, may have been “nerfed into the ground” as a result of the cuts. Now, the series’ longtime director is speaking out in an attempt to clarify the studio’s future.

Doom: The Dark Ages

Release Date May 15, 2025

Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5

Developer id Software

Publisher Bethesda Softworks

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Hugo Martin, who served as creative director for both Doom Eternal and Doom: The Dark Ages, reiterated claims previously made by the studio that their current headcount is the same as when it released Doom (2016). This comes after a WARN notice filed in Texas notifying the state of the cuts indicated that 96 workers had been laid off in Richardson, Texas, where id Software is based, with a further 40 remote roles cut. The totality of the cuts is believed to represent half of id Software’s headcount.

“There’s been reports that we’ve been ‘nerfed into the ground’ and ‘gutted’ and we have 50 people, and that’s not true,” Martin said during a livestream playthrough of the latest DLC for Doom: The Dark Ages. “We’re the size we were when we made Doom 2016, and id Tech is very much alive and well. You have to understand, we have id Tech engineers both in Frankfurt and at MachineGames. We collaborate quite a bit. The id Tech is there, the Doom team is here, and we’re excited to share with you guys more of what we’re working on in the future when it is appropriate and approved.”

Martin also suggested that the latest Doom games have been commercial successes.

“Look, the fact that we made a game that people like and is critical and commercially successful — like I said, it’s doing very well related to the forecast and stuff — that’s good for everyone, for the people at the studio, for the people who unfortunately we had to say goodbye to. I think that helps everyone and we really appreciate your support,” he said.

“But what matters the most is that the games are good, and I’m so happy that people, I don’t know… It’s just a good thing for everybody, and I know it’s going to help.”

For more on Doom: The Dark Ages listen to our review here.