Romero Games' upcoming venture faces financial setbacks as a result of Xbox budget reductions, leading to mass layoffs throughout the company.
In a recent shakeup within the gaming industry, several highly-anticipated projects have been cancelled or put on hold, affecting both independent studios and major publishers. One of the most notable casualties is the project from Romero Games, an all-new first-person shooter with an original IP, which was set to be published by Bethesda Softworks.
The cancellation was a result of strategic decisions made at a high level within Microsoft, which led to layoffs and budget cuts affecting Xbox and its contracted studios. Romero Games, known for their work on Jagged Alliance 2 and Wizardry 8, among other projects, has reportedly shut down following the funding loss from their major publisher.
John Romero, co-founder of id Software and designer of the original DOOM, is also part of Romero Games. The team consistently met milestones and received praise for their work, but the decision to close the studio was not a reflection of their work quality or performance.
The news of the cancelled project has sent ripples through the industry, with many questioning the financial stability of publishers and developers alike. This trend was further emphasised by the cancellation of Everwild, a game in development by Rare, and a MMORPG from ZeniMax Online Studios codenamed "Blackbird".
The cancellations have resulted in layoffs of an unknown number of staff across these studios. Bethesda Softworks has not announced any new projects with Romero Games since the cancellation, and John and Brenda Romero have not yet revealed plans to work with any other publishers.
In a bid to keep their community updated, Romero Games is sending out a newsletter that includes news, reviews, and guides. The newsletter is aimed at Windows and Xbox enthusiasts, offering a platform for the team to share updates and insights, even in the face of adversity.
The cancellations of these projects may indicate a broader trend of financial instability in the gaming industry, as publishers and developers grapple with the challenges of the current market. However, the resilience of the gaming community and the passion of its creators continue to drive innovation and excitement, ensuring that the future of gaming remains bright.
- The cancellation of the project from Romero Games, a highly-anticipated first-person shooter, was a result of strategic decisions made by Microsoft, which led to layoffs and budget cuts affecting Xbox and its contracted studios.
- Despite the cancellation, John Romero, co-founder of id Software and designer of the original DOOM, and his team at Romero Games, known for their work on Jagged Alliance 2 and Wizardry 8, are still active and are sending out a newsletter, aimed at Windows and Xbox enthusiasts, offering news, reviews, and guides.
- The financial instability in the gaming industry, as evidenced by the cancellations of projects like Romero Games' first-person shooter, Everwild from Rare, and a MMORPG from ZeniMax Online Studios codenamed "Blackbird", has raised questions about the financial stability of publishers and developers, but the resilience of the gaming community and the passion of its creators continue to drive innovation and ensure the future of gaming remains bright.
