John Carmack reacts to massive layoffs at id Software: ‘My ‘Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand’ statement isn’t aging well’
Programmer John Carmack, the co-founder of id Software and creator of Doom and Quake, has publicly criticised parent company Microsoft following a fresh round of layoffs at the storied studio. Carmack noted that his earlier optimism about the acquisition had proved misplaced, remarking that his previous statement that "Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand" was not "aging well". His reaction matters because it comes from one of the most influential figures in the studio's history and adds a prominent voice to ongoing concerns about Microsoft's handling of its games divisions.
The comments follow Microsoft's broad cuts across its Xbox and studio operations, which have affected numerous teams under its ownership, including id Software. Carmack, who left id many years ago, retains significant standing in the industry, and his remarks reflect wider unease about job losses across major publishers. (Note: the supplied article text consisted almost entirely of PC Gamer site navigation and membership promotion, so further specific details, figures and quotes from the piece were not available.)
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John Carmack co-founded id Software in 1991 and served as its lead programmer for decades, creating landmark games such as Doom and Quake that helped define the first-person shooter genre. He left id Software some years ago to focus on other ventures, but he remains one of the most respected and closely followed figures in the games industry, and his opinions carry considerable weight among developers and fans alike.
id Software is now owned by Microsoft, which acquired the studio as part of its broader purchase of ZeniMax Media (id's parent company) in 2021. Microsoft has since made deep cuts across its gaming division, including Xbox and various studios it owns, as part of wider cost-cutting efforts, and id Software has been affected by these latest layoffs.
This matters because Carmack had previously expressed cautious confidence that Microsoft would look after id Software's legacy following the acquisition. His willingness to now publicly say that confidence looks misplaced adds a notable voice to broader industry debate about how large corporations manage the studios and staff they acquire.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The acquisition of id Software and other major studios came with explicit commitments to be a good steward of these storied brands and creative teams. The wave of layoffs across Microsoft's gaming divisions represents a breach of those promises and removes talented developers from the industry, damaging not only the affected studios but the broader creative ecosystem. When a prominent figure like Carmack, who helped build id's legendary reputation, publicly expresses that his faith in Microsoft was misplaced, it reflects a genuine problem with how the company has managed these acquisitions.
The case against
Microsoft operates in a competitive industry subject to market pressures and financial realities that require difficult cost-management decisions when acquisitions don't perform as expected. Companies have responsibility to shareholders and must adjust operations when revenue projections aren't met, and restructuring, whilst painful, is sometimes necessary for long-term viability. Without access to Microsoft's internal financial data, it is premature to assume the layoffs were unnecessary or represent a failure of stewardship rather than prudent business management responding to changed circumstances.