"They Don't Understand Art" - Id Software Lead Slams Xbox, Says It's "Impossible" to Make Games Like 2016's Doom Now
Chris Hays said the studio is about half its former size and argued Microsoft’s layoffs make it impossible to build AAA games the same way.
- Chris Hays, id Software lead services programmer, stated it is "impossible" to build AAA games like 2016's Doom with half the staff during a recent interview.
- Last month, new Xbox boss Asha Sharma announced an "Xbox reset" cutting 3,200 positions, with 1,600 jobs eliminated immediately and the rest to follow by year-end, representing around 20 percent of total headcount.
- Hays criticized Microsoft's Game Pass subscription model, arguing sales metrics are flawed when games launch day one and claiming leadership "fundamentally" does not understand art or the business model.
- Management has been instructed to use "talking points" to reassure remaining developers, yet Hays dismissed these efforts, stating "We're not the same id. We're half the same id."
- Staffing levels remain contested; Hays disputed Microsoft's claim that current developer counts match 2016's Doom, noting "There's a reason they say 'close to', because it is less.
12 Articles
12 Articles
"They don't understand art" - id Software lead slams Xbox, says it's "impossible" to make games like 2016's Doom now
A lead developer at id Software has spoken out about Microsoft's decision to make major cuts at the developer, and has said it's "impossible" to make triple-A games like 2016's Doom with half the staff.
'They Fundamentally Don't Understand Art' — Doom Dev Blasts Xbox After Microsoft 'Gutted' id Software With Layoffs
After layoffs ripped through Doom developer id Software in July, lead services programmer Chris Hays has taken aim at Xbox: "They fundamentally don't understand art."
Microsoft Fundamentally Doesn't Understand Art, Games, Or Their Business Model, According To id Software Developer
Active id Software developer Chris Hays has said that Microsoft fundamentally doesn’t understand art, games, or their business model. During an interview with Auf ein Bier (via IdleSloth84_ on Twitter/X), id Software lead services programmer Chris Hays, who has worked at the studio for 16 years, discussed the layoffs that recently hit the studio. According to him, one of the biggest problems is that Microsoft’s approach to evaluating game develo…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
