id Software is best known for defining first-person shooters with franchises like DOOM, Quake, and Rage. However, new reports indicate the studio was actively exploring several non-DOOM projects before recent restructuring at Xbox significantly reduced its workforce.
A report from GamesBeat outlines specific concepts that were in early stages of consideration or development. These included a martial arts shooter inspired by John Wick, a revival of the Perfect Dark franchise, and a survival game set in a robotic Western. With over half the studio reportedly let go as part of Microsoft’s broader Xbox reset, these projects appear to be on indefinite hold.
#1 Fury: A ‘Gun Fu’ action shooter
The most detailed concept revealed is Fury, an original property pitched by id Software studio co-director Hugo Martin. The game was designed to blend sci-fi elements with a noir aesthetic, drawing inspiration from gangster tropes in Louisiana and Chicago.
Gameplay focused on “Gun Fu,” a style that mixes precise gunplay with melee martial arts combat. The goal was to create an experience similar to the John Wick film series. Despite having a clear vision, the project was never officially greenlit for full production.
#2 A potential Perfect Dark revival
Perfect Dark is a long-dormant stealth-action shooter franchise originally developed by Rare. After Microsoft canceled The Initiative’s reboot last year, id Software reportedly considered stepping in to develop a new entry.
According to sources, the studio had already drafted concept art for the project. This would have marked a significant shift for id, moving away from its traditional fast-paced arena shooters toward tactical stealth gameplay. With no other team currently working on the IP, this idea has likely been shelved following the layoffs.
#3 Ironwood: A sci-fi Western survival game
Less information is available regarding Ironwood, but it was described as a survival-focused title set in a Western environment populated by robots. The concept drew comparisons to the HBO series Westworld.
This project would have represented another genre departure for id Software, focusing on exploration and resource management rather than pure combat intensity. Like Fury and Perfect Dark, Ironwood’s future is now uncertain given the studio’s reduced capacity.
#4 Multiplayer DOOM and Quake status
While non-DOOM projects are stalled, reports confirm that id Software was also exploring a multiplayer-focused DOOM game featuring cooperative play. This aligns with the studio’s core identity and may still proceed depending on remaining resources.
Conversely, there are currently no plans for a new Quake title. Despite Quake being one of id’s most iconic creations from the 1990s, the focus remains on DOOM and potentially other unannounced projects that fit Microsoft’s current strategy.
What this means for you
If you were hoping to see id Software expand into new genres like stealth or survival horror, those opportunities are likely gone for now. The massive layoffs at Xbox have forced a consolidation of resources around core IPs, primarily DOOM. For players expecting variety from the studio, the immediate future will look very similar to recent years: more demons, less experimentation.
Source: GamesBeat
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Over to you: Which of these canceled concepts—Fury, Perfect Dark, or Ironwood—are you most disappointed never saw the light of day?
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