Doom Developer Denies Switching to Unreal 5, Sticks with In-House Engine

Summary

Amid Microsoft's massive layoffs, id Software, the developer of Doom, has officially refuted rumors of switching to Unreal Engine 5 in an interview with Windows Central, reaffirming its commitment to the proprietary id Tech engine. Microsoft's job cuts, expected to reduce 3,200 positions by July 2027, have hit id Software hard, significantly shrinking its workforce and affecting the id Tech engine development team. Concerns arose that the veteran studio behind Doom might abandon its in-house engine for a third-party solution. However, executive producer Marty Stratton explicitly stated the team will continue using id Tech and won't switch to Unreal. Stratton acknowledged the industry's tough reality, saying the studio's future hinges on the quality of its next title. This statement is significant for players and the industry alike: id Tech is renowned for its efficiency and customization, with deep technical expertise in the FPS genre. Abandoning it for a generic engine could compromise visual fidelity and performance optimization in future games. The layoffs pose challenges to the studio's creativity and project timelines, but the team's resolve underscores its technical vision. For fans of Doom and id Software, this ensures future releases will retain the signature technical style. For the industry, the ongoing debate between proprietary and commercial engines persists, and…