Hugo Martin Addresses id Software Size and id Tech Status

By Rizwan Ahmed, Senior Writer Published Jul 17, 2026, 5:29 PM UTC 2 min read

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Hugo Martin Addresses id Software Size and id Tech Status

Following recent industry reports regarding the size and scope of id Software after Xbox-related layoffs, studio director Hugo Martin has clarified the current state of the developer. Speaking on a recent livestream, Martin rejected claims that the studio had been “nerfed into the ground,” asserting that the team is currently at a similar size to its headcount during the development of 2016's DOOM.

Quick Facts

Current Studio Size: Comparable to the team size during the development of DOOM (2016).
Engine Status: The id Tech engine remains active, with development engineers collaborating across Frankfurt and MachineGames.
Project Status: DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations is currently one of the highest-rated releases of 2026.

The Future of id Tech

During the stream, Martin addressed concerns about the viability of the studio's proprietary technology. He emphasized that the id Tech engine is “very much alive and well.” The development process continues to lean on a collaborative infrastructure, with id Tech engineers working in tandem across both the Frankfurt office and MachineGames.

Martin expressed that the current setup remains effective for building the games and technology the studio is known for. While he did not provide a specific roadmap for future projects, he noted that the team is preparing to share more information when appropriate.

Success of The Dark Ages

The discussion also touched upon the critical and commercial reception of DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations, which launched on May 15, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X. Martin highlighted that the expansion's performance has exceeded forecasts, describing the success as a positive outcome for both current staff and those who have previously worked at the studio.

“The fact that we made a game that people like, and is critically and commercially successful—it's doing very well related to the forecasts—that's good for everyone,” Martin said. He expressed gratitude toward the player base for their continued support of the DOOM series.