Doom legend John Romero just confirmed his studio survived Microsoft’s brutal layoffs and project cancellation. The massive Unreal Engine 5 FPS, axed in July 2025 amid 9,000 job cuts, lives on as a leaner indie shooter packed with the best elements from the original. Speaking at Spain’s Salón del Videojuego de Madrid, Romero hyped the redesign as something completely original that will feel as fresh to FPS fans as Elden Ring did to Souls players.
From Cancellation to Comeback
Romero Games lost funding for their ambitious new IP after hitting every milestone. Former staff reported layoffs, but the studio clarified it stayed open and fielded publisher interest. Romero revealed they’ve repurposed $50 million worth of assets – levels, mechanics, art – into a brand new game. The team shrank from 110 developers, but excitement runs high for the pivot.
Microsoft’s cuts also killed Everwild, Perfect Dark reboot, and Zenimax projects. Romero couldn’t disclose the publisher due to NDAs, but timing points to Xbox. Despite the heartbreak, Romero Games turned crisis into opportunity, avoiding total shutdown.
What Survived the Axe
The new shooter keeps core ideas from the canceled project but starts fresh. Romero describes it as ‘completely redesigned’ with ‘nothing to do with the previous game’ yet incorporating standout elements. Think innovative level design, unique weapons, or movement systems that wowed testers – now distilled into indie scope.
- Asset Goldmine: $50M in content becomes instant value
- Team Morale: Developers thrilled with bold new direction
- FPS Purity: Romero’s DNA – fast, brutal, level mastery
- Elden Ring Parallel: Familiar shooting, revolutionary twists
- Indie Scale: Smaller budget, bigger creative freedom
Romero’s Sigil and Sigil 2 Doom mods proved his design chops remain sharp. This FPS channels that E1M1 energy into modern tech.
Romero Games Timeline
| Milestone | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Founded | 2015 | John & Brenda Romero launch post-id Software |
| FPS Announced | 2022 | Unreal 5 shooter with major publisher |
| Funding Cut | July 2025 | Microsoft layoffs kill project |
| Survival Confirmed | Dec 2025 | New indie FPS repurposes assets |
Brenda Romero led through uncertainty, rejecting closure rumors. Publisher talks continue, but indie path excites most.
Why Romero Matters
John Romero co-created Doom, Quake, Wolfenstein 3D – FPS foundations. Daikatana flopped but proved risk tolerance. Sigil series reminded everyone: Romero builds bangers. This survivor shooter could redefine indie FPS like Dusk or Ultrakill.
Fans praise his level design genius. Expect E1M1-scale encounters in fresh worlds. No release window yet, but 2026 seems likely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it the same game?
No – completely redesigned indie shooter using original assets.
Who’s publishing now?
Going indie, possible future partners. Microsoft deal dead.
Unreal Engine 5 still?
Likely – assets built there, no reason to switch.
Team size now?
Smaller than 110, focused core staying excited.
Release date?
Not announced. Indie scope suggests faster timeline.
Doom-like?
FPS DNA yes, but Romero promises Elden Ring-level innovation.
Studio closing?
No – actively developing, debunked rumors.
Doom Legend Endures
John Romero turns Microsoft’s mess into FPS gold. $50M assets fuel a shooter no one’s played. From id Software pioneer to indie survivor, Romero proves legends adapt. Watch this space – E1M1 energy returns.
Doom fans, rejoice. Romero’s back building. Hell awaits.