UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, Romero Games, the Irish development studio founded by gaming legends John and Brenda Romero, has officially shut its doors. This surprising decision comes on the heels of significant funding cuts implemented by Microsoft, raising concerns that the studio’s operations would come to an abrupt end. Reports began circulating on Wednesday regarding the withdrawal of financial support, with Microsoft later confirmed as the publisher behind this decision.
ROMERO GAMES SHUTS DOWN
As it stands, all operations at Romero Games have ground to a halt, leading to the unfortunate loss of over 100 jobs. One anonymous staff member shared their disbelief, stating, “It was a huge shock. Everyone is out of work. We had meetings with the publisher just a day before it happened, and there was no indication of what was coming. At that point, the title was already in a great place in development.” This personal account underscores the unexpected nature of the closure and its profound impact on the team.
IMPACT ON THE GAMING COMMUNITY
Romero Games was hard at work on a first-person shooter utilizing Unreal Engine 5, a project that had generated significant excitement among gamers. However, the same anonymous employee hinted at the possibility that another publisher might step in to revive both the project and the studio. For now, though, all activities have come to a standstill, and the staff is exploring alternative funding options. “We’re trying to find other ways to finance the project,” the employee explained. “But for now, everything is stopped, and the studio is closed.” This situation leaves many in the gaming community anxious about the future of the project and the talented individuals affected by the studio’s closure.
MICROSOFT’S BUDGET CUTS
Romero Games is just one of several third-party studios feeling the sting of Microsoft’s sweeping budget cuts, reportedly driven by a new emphasis on generative artificial intelligence. In fact, over 9,000 employees have lost their jobs across the company, with various projects—including Perfect Dark from The Initiative and Everwild from RARE—being canceled. These developments are unfolding rapidly, revealing the magnitude of the challenges facing the gaming industry.
As the situation continues to evolve, the gaming community watches with bated breath, hoping for a turnaround that could potentially breathe life back into Romero Games and its ambitious projects. Will the gaming landscape change once more, or is this the end of an era for one of its most iconic studios?