eurogamer.net
Aug 10, 2026
“They don’t understand art” – id Software lead slams Xbox, says it’s “impossible” to make games like 2016’s Doom now
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
A lead developer at id Software, Chris Hayes, criticized Microsoft’s recent “Xbox reset” layoffs, arguing that cutting half the studio’s staff makes it impossible to produce triple‑A titles like 2016’s Doom. Hayes said entire departments were eliminated, undermining the cohesion that enabled past successes. He disputed Microsoft’s assurances that the studio remains unchanged, labeling them as “talking points” aimed at keeping remaining employees. The conversation also touched on unionization efforts and challenges with Game Pass revenue models.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The cuts expose a growing tension between corporate cost‑cutting and creative capacity, threatening the future of high‑profile franchises.
- · They also highlight how large publishers may undervalue the collaborative nature of game development.
