If they shut down ID Software, I'm going to sell my Xbox and buy a PC. And it doesn't even make sense for them to shut down ID Software.
Insider Gamingโs Mike Straw recently claimed that two Xbox studios are reportedly at risk of closure, with one of them supposedly being a studio that would โcome as a shock to everyone.โ ๐ฌ
If weโre speculating about which studio could be the โshockโ closure, these are the two names that come to mind:
Arkane Lyon
The studio behind Dishonored 2, Death of the Outsider, and Deathloop, currently developing Marvelโs Blade.
Most people would consider them safe, which is exactly why their closure would be so surprising. We know very little about Bladeโs development, and if the project is facing major delays, budget concerns, or other challenges, Xbox could be forced to make a difficult decision. Marvel projects arenโt cheap, and expectations are undoubtedly high.
id Software
The legendary studio behind DOOM, Quake, and RAGE.
This would arguably be the biggest shock of all. Theyโre one of the most iconic FPS developers in gaming history and a cornerstone of Xboxโs shooter portfolio. Beyond the upcoming DOOM DLC on July 7, we have very little visibility into the studioโs long-term plans.
The other question is whether franchises like DOOM and Quake still have enough room to grow in todayโs market. Both series remain highly respected, but theyโre built around a style of FPS design that differs from many of the industryโs biggest modern shooters. The key question is whether Xbox sees enough long-term growth potential in these franchises to justify continued investment. Only Microsoft knows whether theyโre meeting its commercial expectations.
Itโs also worth noting that id Software currently doesnโt appear to have any open positions, and the studio doesnโt seem to be listed on ZeniMaxโs careers page either. That could mean absolutely nothing, but itโs another detail worth considering.
I hate this industry some days. It feels like every year we lose talented teams and great studios. ๐
Who do you think the โshockโ studio could be?