Romero Games Declares Itself Alive: Microsoft’s Cut Doesn’t End the Studio

Unannounced Romero Games Shooter Project Axed Due to Microsoft Funding Cut, Leads to Studio Layoffs

Romero Games has denied reports of its closure following Microsoft’s decision to withdraw funding for an unannounced first-person shooter game. This funding cut led to the project’s cancellation and significant layoffs at the studio. According to a Romero Games employee, Microsoft pulled funding for the studio’s unannounced Unreal Engine 5 shooter, along with several other unannounced projects at different studios. This decision resulted in widespread job losses at Romero Games, affecting various roles including artists, programmers, level designers, and UI artists. Among those who confirmed their layoffs were Senior 3D Character Artist Conor Jordan, Technical Shader Artist Leslie Stowe, Senior Producer Emily Winters, Game Developer and Lead Animator Phil Rowe, and Sound Designer Sarah Sherlock. While reports from former employees indicate the number of impacted individuals ranged from over a dozen to more than 100, Romero Games has not confirmed the exact number of team members let go or whether all positions were eliminated.

Romero Games Seeks New Funding, Continues Search for Publishing Partner after Microsoft’s Cancellation

Despite claims that the studio has shut down completely, Romero Games asserts it remains active and is working toward business continuity. In a public statement, the company denied any suggestions of closure as “factually incorrect” and confirmed it held a team meeting to discuss next steps. The studio stated, “Our studio isn’t shutting down. We’re taking a closer look at our team setup right now. We’re also exploring chances from potential publishers who want us to get back to making games.” Romero Games is actively evaluating proposals from interested publishers to resume production of the now-canceled shooter. The studio met with Microsoft shortly before the funding was officially cut and is now seeking other financial backers to see the game through to completion. The future of the project and the team remains uncertain as Romero Games continues its search for a new publishing partner.

In Case You Missed It

For those interested in the latest developments in the gaming industry, especially regarding high-profile figures like John Romero of Doom fame, be sure to check out “Romero Games, by John Romero of Doom, ends with layoff of over 100 people, says site” by Jonathan Dubinski (published on July 6, 2025). This post delves into the unexpected closure of Romero Games and its aftermath, including potential paths forward for the company. Head over to Romero Games, by John Romero of Doom, ends with layoff of over 100 people, says site to learn more about this significant turn of events. As the dust settles on Microsoft’s latest round of layoffs, which includes significant cuts at Xbox Game Studios, industry watchers are buzzing with concerns about the future direction of one of gaming’s biggest players. Bruno Pferd delves deep into this new crisis in his recent post “Xbox Plunges into New Crisis Amidst Cuts, Cancellations, and Studio Closures,” published on July 4, 2025. With insights into the closure of studios like The Initiative and Everwild, as well as cancelled projects, Bruno offers a critical look at Microsoft’s recent moves and their potential long-term impacts on both Xbox and the broader gaming community. For those interested in the latest developments in the gaming industry, be sure to check out this insightful piece Xbox Plunges into New Crisis Amidst Cuts, Cancellations, and Studio Closures. In light of recent developments in the gaming industry, I wanted to highlight a significant event covered by Sophie Laurent on Players For Life. Her article “Romero Games Shuts Down, Dismisses Over 100 Employees” (published July 6, 2025) delves into the abrupt closure of Romero Games following financial setbacks and the cancellation of their highly anticipated FPS game. While this news is certainly disheartening for fans and employees alike, it also opens up conversations about the resilience of independent studios and the potential paths to recovery. Be sure to read Sophie’s insightful piece here Romero Games Shuts Down, Dismisses Over 100 Employees for a comprehensive look at this story.