Reports Reveal id Software Explored Perfect Dark and John Wick Pitches Prior to Massive Layoffs
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
A new report from GamesBeat reveals that id Software was exploring pitches for a new Perfect Dark and a John Wick inspired action game before Microsoft laid off half of the studio staff.
Recent reporting indicates that id Software was actively exploring several ambitious new concepts before Microsoft implemented sweeping layoffs that cut the studio workforce in half. According to details shared by GamesBeat, 92 out of 185 full-time employees lost their jobs, leaving the future of the legendary developer in serious doubt. Before the restructuring hit, the team was reportedly brainstorming multiple exciting pitches, including a brand new take on Perfect Dark and an original action game heavily inspired by the John Wick franchise.
The scale of these cuts puts the viability of those early concepts into question. Industry observers and sources close to the studio point out that operating with half of their previous headcount makes executing large scale projects nearly impossible in the current development landscape. This news arrives shortly after fellow industry veteran John Carmack commented on the broader economic pressures facing developers, noting that games today need to achieve commercial success rather than just critical affection to survive long term.
For players and communities invested in high octane shooters and single player action, losing studio capacity at id Software feels like a major blow. As the industry continues to navigate a turbulent period of restructuring across major publishers, the loss of these potential projects highlights the fragile nature of game development. You can read the original reporting over at IGN South Africa to get the full breakdown of the studio changes.
Tags: id Software, Microsoft, Layoffs, Perfect Dark, John Wick
Original article: IGN South Africa