DOOM co-creator John Romero’s entire Romero Games studio has been let go following Microsoft layoffs as Xbox cuts funding for new FPS

In the wake of mass industry layoffs at Microsoft—which has resulted in the cancellation of key Xbox titles Everwild, Perfect Dark, and an unannounced MMO—the small game studio is said to have laid off all developers working on its unannounced FPS title.

Romero Games suffers from Microsoft layoffs

Following the layoffs across key Microsoft developers Blizzard, Turn 10, Halo Studios, Playground Games, Rare, Treyarch, Infinity Ward, Raven Software and more, former Romero Games employees confirmed that the studio has been let go.

In a statement on social media, Brenda Romero confirmed that the studio “learned that out publisher has canceled funding for our game along with several other unannounced projects at other studios”. Prior to today, it was not publicly known that Microsoft was funding Romero Games’ next project.

“We’re currently evaluating next steps and working quickly to support our team,” Romero continued. “Many of us have worked together for more than a decade, some for over 20 years. It’s an extremely difficult day and we’re heartbroken that it’s come to this. If you know of any opportunities or ways you can help our incredible team, please reach out.”

As for the studio’s layoffs, multiple employees have stated that the entire workforce of Romero Games has been let go. Artists, programmers, level designers, UI artists and more have been laid off as a result of lost funding with some workers having worked for just a few months on the team’s unannounced Unreal Engine 5-based shooter.

“These people are the best people I’ve ever worked with, and I’m sorry to say that our game and our studio were also affected,” founder John Romero said on social media. The iconic game developer also asked for developers at other studios to reach out at [email protected] “if you have opportunities for anyone on our team”.

“Unfortunately, I’ve been impacted at Romero Games with the layoffs at Microsoft and I am now looking for new opportunities,” confirmed Senior 3D character artist Conor Jordan. “Today I found out our whole studio is being let go because of the layoffs at Microsoft,” explained technical shader artist Leslie Stowe.

“Unfortunately, I’ve been impacted by the recent layoffs at Microsoft and am now hashtag #OpenToWork effective immediately,” added Senior Producer Emily Winters. “A big thank you to Romero Games for these past couple months although it was a short adventure, it truly an amazing place to work.”

“A very sad day,” said game developer and lead animator Phil Rowe. “It breaks my heart to say that Romero Games fell victim to the 9100 Microsoft layoffs today. The best team I’ve ever worked with and my dream job gone just like that. It really was a great project and it’s hard to process that it’s over. It’s nothing less than tragic.”

“I am so disappointed not to be working with this incredible team and this incredible project,” added sound designer Sarah Sherlock.

Since its founding in 2015, Romero Games has mostly developed smaller-scale projects, but the team was ramping up to create a bigger release in the form of its unannounced FPS project. While details were slim, it’s now confirmed that Xbox was funding the project, but pulled out “last night” alongside layoffs of over 9,000 employees.