Xbox Layoffs Spark Criticism from id Software Lead as Consoles Face Price Hike

Xbox has been hit by significant layoffs, with over 1,600 members of staff let go as part of its most recent restructuring. This move comes on top of an additional 3,200 Microsoft jobs that are set to be axed in the near future.

The cuts have affected id Software, which is behind popular titles such as Doom and Doom Eternal. According to lead services programmer Chris Hayes, the studio had 'serious issues' with Xbox Game Pass, which features all id Software titles as Day One releases. Hayes criticized Microsoft's understanding of game development, stating that they 'fundamentally don't understand art'.

Hayes expressed concerns about making games with a significantly reduced team size, saying it would be 'impossible' to create something equivalent to the studio's previous work. He noted that id Software had twice as many people when creating its bigger and better games, but now has fewer staff members due to the layoffs.

Microsoft cited rising component prices as a reason for the price increase of Xbox consoles, which is expected to double by fall 2027. The company's executive vice president Amy Coleman stated that companies don't get to choose whether their industry changes, they only get to decide if they change with it.