Original Doom Designer's New FPS Is The Latest Casualty Of The Xbox Cuts

Utsanjan Maity
July 07, 2025
John Romero's New FPS Canceled: A Victim of Xbox Layoffs?

John Romero's New FPS Canceled: A Victim of Xbox Layoffs?

In 2022, gaming legend John Romero, renowned for his work on the iconic Doom franchise, announced a new and exciting project: a first-person shooter (FPS) built using the powerful Unreal Engine 5. This wasn't just any game; Romero revealed it was being developed for a "major publisher," igniting considerable anticipation within the gaming community. The news was met with widespread excitement, promising a return to form from one of the genre's pioneers.

Three years later, however, the excitement has abruptly turned to disappointment. The project, shrouded in secrecy until this point, has been canceled. The culprit? According to reports, the latest round of massive layoffs at Xbox, Microsoft's gaming division, is directly responsible for bringing this ambitious project to an untimely end.

The Fallout from Xbox Layoffs

The recent wave of layoffs at Xbox has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry. Hundreds of jobs were lost, impacting numerous projects across various studios. News outlets reported on the significant number of job losses, highlighting the devastating impact on affected employees and their families. This wasn't just about numbers; it was about talented individuals losing their livelihoods and their contributions to games many were eagerly awaiting.

The cancellation of Romero's game serves as a stark reminder of the precarious nature of game development, particularly within the context of larger corporate structures. While the initial announcement of the project generated immense buzz, the subsequent cancellation underlines the unpredictable nature of the industry and the vulnerability of even high-profile projects to the whims of corporate restructuring and budget cuts.

Romero's Unfinished Masterpiece

Details regarding Romero's canceled game remain scarce. We know it was a first-person shooter, a genre where Romero is undeniably a master. The use of Unreal Engine 5 suggested a commitment to cutting-edge graphics and gameplay mechanics, implying a visually stunning and technically impressive experience was being targeted. The involvement of a "major publisher," likely a significant player in the industry like Xbox itself, pointed towards a substantial budget and a planned widespread release.

The lack of concrete information about the game's content fuels speculation. Was it a completely new IP? Would it have been a spiritual successor to Doom or something entirely different? These questions remain unanswered, leaving fans with only fragments of what could have been.

One developer involved in the project described the news as "[a] massive, sudden..." [The rest of the quote is missing from the provided text]. This statement alone speaks volumes about the abruptness and severity of the cancellation, leaving those involved reeling from the shock and disappointment.

The Impact on the Gaming Industry

Beyond the immediate impact on Romero's team, the cancellation raises broader concerns about the gaming industry's current climate. The incident showcases the risks inherent in the development process, the vulnerability of projects to corporate decisions, and the potential for significant losses in creative endeavors due to economic factors. The intense pressure on game studios to deliver commercially successful products often leads to tight deadlines and budget constraints, making ambitious projects particularly vulnerable.

This event serves as a cautionary tale for both game developers and players alike. It highlights the fragility of even the most promising games and reinforces the reality that projects, regardless of the talent involved, can be unexpectedly shelved, leaving behind a trail of unrealized potential and disappointed expectations.

Looking Forward

While the cancellation of Romero's FPS is a significant loss for the gaming community, it is essential to acknowledge the broader context. The actions taken by Microsoft and other large companies are influenced by multifaceted factors. This may include market trends, economic conditions, and a range of strategic business objectives. The gaming landscape is constantly evolving, and it is crucial to consider that these events, while unfortunate, reflect the complex realities within a vibrant but also highly volatile industry.

Although this specific project is no longer in development, it's important to remember John Romero's legacy in the gaming industry and his ongoing contributions. He remains a highly influential figure, and we can anticipate further exciting projects from him in the future. The cancellation of this one game does not diminish his considerable talents or the lasting impact he has had on the gaming world.

While the loss of this potentially groundbreaking game is regrettable, the incident provides a valuable opportunity for reflection on the complexities of the industry and the importance of supporting the creators whose passion and hard work fuel the games we all enjoy.

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from Kotaku
-via DynaSage