Id Software was developing a new Perfect Dark game, a co-op focused Doom entry, and a John Wick-style project called Fury before the studio's recent mass layoffs, according to GamesBeat reporting.
The canceled projects reveal ambitious plans beyond Doom: The Dark Ages, which just launched the Revelations expansion. Perfect Dark, the espionage franchise dormant since 2010's reboot, represented id Software's pitch to revive an older IP. The co-op Doom concept would have pivoted the franchise away from single-player brutality toward team-based combat. Fury appears to have been an original IP influenced by the tactical action of the John Wick films, suggesting id Software was exploring franchise work beyond its core FPS identity.
These cancellations followed the layoffs that impacted multiple Microsoft-owned studios. The timing raises questions about Microsoft's strategic direction for id Software. The publisher acquired the studio through ZeniMax Media in 2021, positioning it as a cornerstone franchise developer. Doom: The Dark Ages represents a return to medieval settings and demonstrated commercial viability, but the scrapped projects indicate broader plans to expand id's portfolio.
The Perfect Dark revival particularly stands out. Rare's original 1997 N64 espionage game maintains cult status, and a modern AAA take could have competed directly with other spy-themed franchises. The co-op Doom variant would have addressed a growing player demand for cooperative experiences, as seen in the success of Deep Rock Galactic and Helldivers 2.
Fury's cancellation removes a potential new IP from Microsoft's pipeline. The studio has historically excelled at corridor-based action shooters, but expanding into tactical, narrative-driven experiences like John Wick represented growth.
These losses highlight the volatility of AAA development under corporate ownership. Id Software remains operational,