Xbox Reportedly Cuts 136 Jobs at id Software, Nearly 75% of Staff
Reports say Xbox has cut 136 jobs at id Software, a reduction that would represent just under three-quarters of the studio’s staff. The number aligns with earlier reporting that id Software employed 185 people as of last December.
Key takeaways
- Xbox reportedly laid off 136 workers at id Software.
- The cut reportedly equals just under 75% of the studio’s workforce, based on a December staff count of 185.
- Texas Workforce Commission data shows 158 total layoffs tied to ZeniMax across Texas.
- Within that total, 22 layoffs reportedly affected Bethesda Game Studios Austin.
- With 136 coming from id Software, the studio’s future could be left in doubt if the figures hold.
Layoff totals tied to ZeniMax across Texas
The reported numbers trace back to reporting that used data provided by the Texas Workforce Commission. That dataset points to parent company ZeniMax cutting 158 jobs in total across Texas. Of those, 22 positions were reportedly tied to Bethesda Game Studios Austin, while 136 were associated with id Software.
If those figures are accurate, id Software would be left with a drastically reduced team, leaving its next steps uncertain and raising questions about how the studio will operate moving forward.
From “half the studio” to a near-total gutting
Initial reporting suggested 50% of id Software had been cut, which would have put the layoffs at roughly 90 people. With the later total higher, it now looks far less likely that id Software will function as it did previously.
As a result, speculation has started to spread about what the studio might become. One theory floating around is that id Software could be reshaped into a support team for other ongoing or future projects rather than continuing as a standalone, fully staffed development studio.
