Xbox's Doom and Wolfenstein Studios Deepen Ties Post-Layoffs

Following a period of significant restructuring within Xbox's gaming divisions, id Software and MachineGames, two of the most celebrated first-person shooter developers under the Bethesda umbrella, are reportedly working together more closely than ever before. This announcement comes from id Software co-director Marty Stratton, who addressed the studio's status in the wake of recent layoffs that impacted roughly half of its staff as part of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's broader company "reset."

Despite the challenging circumstances, Stratton emphasized the studio's resilience and forward momentum. "We're doing great," he stated at a recent press event for Doom: The Dark Ages's Revelations DLC. "Not to handwave the [layoffs] away...everybody knows we had about half of our studio exit as part of that. But there was a very deliberate effort to make sure that we were incredibly viable coming out of that across everything we do, across game development and technology department." He elaborated on the deepening relationship with MachineGames, creators of the recent Wolfenstein titles and the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. "We're working more closely with MachineGames than ever. We've always had a very close partnership with them, but I think we're at a point with technology development that both teams are incredibly talented and have incredibly talented engineers and we're really on an amazing path that had started pre-[layoffs]. We'd kicked this off earlier this year. We're really excited about that. We're both really really bullish on what we have ahead."

A Shared Future for Iconic Franchises

This intensified collaboration is particularly significant given the historical synergy between the two studios. MachineGames has consistently utilized id Software's proprietary idTech engine for all its Wolfenstein titles, a testament to the robust and adaptable technology id Software has developed over decades. The timing of this closer working relationship also aligns with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's stated vision for her studios to "double down on their biggest franchises." This suggests a strategic push to leverage the established strengths and fan bases of franchises like Doom and Wolfenstein.

While Marty Stratton did not explicitly confirm any joint projects, the implications are tantalizing for fans. The possibility of id Software and MachineGames co-developing future titles, perhaps even the heavily rumored Wolfenstein 3, is a compelling prospect. MachineGames studio head Jerk Gustafsson has previously stated, "We're not done with Wolfenstein yet," fueling speculation that the beloved alternate-history shooter series is far from over. This deepened technological and creative partnership could lead to groundbreaking advancements in both franchises, blending id Software's legendary shooter pedigree with MachineGames's narrative-driven approach.

What's Next

Fans eager for new content from these studios can anticipate further developments regarding Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. While specific details on any potential co-developed projects are not yet public, the renewed focus and collaboration between id Software and MachineGames suggest a strong pipeline of high-quality, franchise-focused titles for Xbox and PC players in the coming years.