id Software Stays with id Tech, Rejects Unreal Engine 5 Despite Xbox Layoffs

The latest wave of layoffs at Xbox, which will eliminate 3,200 jobs by July 2027, has hit nearly every studio under the umbrella, including id Software, the developer behind the DOOM series. The cuts were so severe that they raised questions about the future of the id Tech engine, which also powers MachineGames' Indiana Jones and The Great Circle. However, Executive Producer Marty Stratton has confirmed that id Software will not abandon its proprietary engine in favor of Unreal Engine 5.

"We're all in on id Tech; we're not moving to Unreal Engine," Stratton told Windows Central. "We had a meeting yesterday with five or six tech directors; sometimes you wish that the audience could've been in that tech meeting to see some of the excitement around some of this stuff. I don't think people should worry; we're going to continue to be a tech powerhouse moving forward."

Despite the studio's commitment to its own technology, the future remains challenging. Stratton acknowledged that the community's support during QuakeCon was a boost, but the ultimate verdict will come from the players themselves. "The verdict is going to be in how we move forward, what we deliver to fans, and whether or not that meets the bar. That's how we go into every single project we make. That's how we're going into what we're doing next," he said.

The studio's decision to stick with id Tech comes as a relief to many fans, given the engine's reputation for cutting-edge performance and optimization. However, with the layoffs affecting the team, the pressure is on to deliver a title that lives up to the legacy of DOOM and other id Software franchises. Stratton's comments suggest that the studio is aware of the stakes and is determined to prove its resilience, even as the broader Xbox restructuring continues.