Summary
- Romero Games closed after Xbox pulled funding on their latest project, despite recent positive meetings.
- Over 100 staff were laid off, with developers expressing shock and frustration at the sudden cancellation.
- Sources reveal the studio was unaware of funding cuts even during a meeting the day before the announcement.
- The studio is actively seeking alternative funding to continue development of the cancelled game.
Romero Games Funding Pulled Shortly After Positive Meeting with Microsoft, Sources Reveal
Romero Games, the Irish studio founded by DOOM veteran John Romero and his wife Brenda Romero, has closed after Xbox unexpectedly pulled funding from their latest project.
According to reports from The Journal and insider sources, the studio had met with Microsoft just one day before the funding was cut. In that meeting, the team was given no indication of impending cancellations and was praised for the game’s development progress.
An anonymous source told The Journal: “We had meetings with the publisher the day before this happened, there was no mention of it. It seemed so far away for us. The title was pretty well developed at the time.” This reveals a disconnect between the publisher and developer, adding to the shock experienced by the studio.
Though Romero Games has closed its doors for now, the team is actively seeking new publishers or funding to resume development. The studio’s reputation and John Romero’s industry standing may help attract potential partners. A source within the team described the cancellation as “frustrating” and an emotional blow but noted efforts to revive the project under a different banner.
Layoffs Hit Entire Studio Amid Abrupt Closure
Following the funding withdrawal, Romero Games laid off over 100 employees spanning multiple disciplines, from artists to programmers. Developer resumes and staff social media posts confirmed the layoffs, with several expressing devastation at the sudden closure. Artist Christoph Redl publicly confirmed losing his job due to the cancellation.
Romero Games issued a statement emphasising that the shutdown was not due to the team’s performance or project quality, stating: “We hit every milestone on time, every time, consistently received high praise, and easily passed all our internal gates. We are incredibly proud of the work being done, and of the talented team behind it.”
The closure occurred during Microsoft’s largest layoffs in recent memory, affecting over 9,000 employees worldwide, particularly within Xbox’s gaming division. Alongside Romero Games, other studios such as The Initiative and Tango Gameworks faced similar struggles, with multiple projects cancelled, including Perfect Dark and Everwild.
