Doom Creator’s New FPS Canceled in Xbox Layoffs
▼ Summary
– John Romero announced in 2022 he was developing a new FPS in Unreal Engine 5, but the project was recently canceled.
– Employees attribute the cancellation to Xbox’s widespread layoffs, calling it a sudden and unexpected blow to an innovative project.
– Brenda Romero stated the funding loss resulted from a high-level strategic decision, leaving the team to evaluate next steps and support affected staff.
– Some employees confirmed layoffs tied to Microsoft’s gaming division cuts, which also canceled projects like Everwild and Perfect Dark.
– The future of Romero Games is uncertain, known previously for Empire of Sin and unofficial Doom episodes Sigil 1 and 2.
The gaming industry faces another setback as a highly anticipated first-person shooter from Doom co-creator John Romero has been abruptly canceled. Sources indicate the project’s termination stems from recent Xbox layoffs, leaving developers reeling from unexpected studio cuts. The untitled game, developed using Unreal Engine 5, was reportedly in active production before funding was pulled due to high-level strategic shifts.
Brenda Romero, studio director at Romero Games, confirmed the cancellation in a public statement, describing it as a sudden blow to a team that had poured years into the project. She emphasized efforts to support affected staff, many of whom have collaborated for decades. Though Xbox wasn’t directly named, employees linked the shutdown to broader restructuring within Microsoft’s gaming division, which has already axed titles like Everwild and Perfect Dark.
On social media, developers expressed frustration over losing what they called an innovative and promising FPS. Lead level designer Sebastian Bica praised the team’s dedication, calling the experience unforgettable but lamenting the abrupt end. The studio, known for Empire of Sin and Sigil expansions for Doom, now faces uncertainty about its future.
This cancellation adds to growing concerns about instability in game development, particularly as major publishers reassess budgets amid industry-wide turbulence. For now, fans and developers alike are left wondering what could have been—and whether Romero Games will pivot to new projects or dissolve entirely.
(Source: Kotaku)
