"My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand' statement isn't aging well" - id Software co-founder John Carmack speaks out after devastating Xbox layoffs

id Software co-founder John Carmack has commented on the devastating layoffs at his former studio, which saw 136 of its 185 workers lose their jobs as part of Xbox's broader restructuring. Carmack acknowledged that his previous statement that "Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand" is "not aging well" and said the cuts will "dampen the mood of the founder reunion at QuakeCon." However, he said he cannot muster anger, suspecting id Software was a "marginal business" for Microsoft and noting that "games need to succeed, not just be beloved." Carmack questioned whether different strategies could have doubled id's revenue, such as pricing, marketing, or game design changes, but admitted he doesn't know. He concluded that "the game isn't over yet" and expressed hope the studio will rally. Fellow co-founder John Romero had previously expressed sorrow for those affected and praised the team's recent work.