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Cancelled No More? John Romero Might Just Bring His Shooter Back to Life!
July 8, 2025John Romero’s game studio isn’t done just yet. After the surprise cancellation of their highly-anticipated shooter earlier this year, fans worried that the DOOM co-creator’s latest dream was dead in the water. However, according to brand-new info, multiple publishers have come knocking, sparking real hope that the cancelled project (which Romero once called “his most ambitious”) could still happen.
“Cancelled” Game Might Be Back On the Table
It’s been a whirlwind ride for Romero Games. Back in June 2024, studio leads John and Brenda Romero revealed their all-new first-person shooter was scrapped after nearly two years in development. The reason is that their publishing partner abruptly pulled out, forcing the team to shut down production.
But here’s where it gets spicy: that very cancellation sparked a flood of attention. Sources close to the studio revealed that fresh interest from multiple publishers has emerged in just the last few weeks. Speaking exclusively to Eurogamer, Romero himself confirmed: “We’re still in talks. People like what they saw.” That pretty much blew the door wide open—for fans and maybe even the devs—to believe that this shelved shooter isn’t six feet under just yet.
No Layoffs, No Closure—Romero Games Still Standing
One of the biggest misconceptions making the rounds recently was that Romero Games had shut its doors entirely. Not true. While long-term contractors were released, no permanent team members lost their jobs. The studio, Romero clarified, was never shuttered—it just “paused” while figuring out the next move. Romero Games, based in Galway, Ireland, is still very much alive. The developer said the company is “restructuring” and remains hopeful that they can resume development work, especially if the ongoing publisher talks end well. That’s great news for FPS game fans wanting something that fuses Romero’s old-school mastery with modern gameplay.
What Was Romero Actually Working On?
Well, now that the project might get revived, it’s worth asking what type of game we’re talking about. Details are tight, but we know the cancelled title was a brand-new first-person shooter IP, not tied to DOOM or any previous franchise. Romero described the game as ambitious, built in Unreal Engine 5, promising deep combat mechanics and worldbuilding. There were hints of single-player campaign modes, a renewed emphasis on level design (which, let’s face it, Romero basically pioneered), and a strong narrative backbone. If the publisher talks turn green, it could still see release across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and potentially even Nintendo Switch 2—pending system power compatibility, of course.
Publishers Are Lining Up—But Who Could It Be?
At the time of writing, no specific publishers have been publicly named. But let’s speculate responsibly. With Romero’s legacy and the hype behind Unreal-pushed visuals, it’s likely that mid-to-large publishers known for bold indie-style hits or collaborative partnerships are involved. Think smaller-than-AAA publishers—like Devolver or Focus Entertainment—rather than giants like EA. These are the type of partners who can greenlight passion projects without burying them in system bloat.
And with mid-tier AAA shooters like Warhammer: Boltgun and Atomic Heart proving there’s a market for stylish retro-modern hybrids, Romero’s title would fit right in—especially if it delivers the intense twitch action fans associate with DOOM-style games.
This news changes the narrative fast. Earlier this year, after the cancellation, many assumed Romero Games had lost steam—just another studio swallowed by the growing mid-budget game apocalypse. But no. This is Romero we’re talking about. The resurgence of interest could reframe this game as a comeback story: a troubled but passionate project that refused to quit.
Fans of classic FPS games should be watching this closely. Romero’s shooter isn’t just another retro throwback—it’s meant to push forward the genre’s identity. And if a publisher steps in soon, we could be looking at a re-announcement later this year or early 2026. Potential preorder announcements, game awards teasers… you get the vibe.
When Could It be released?
No word on an official release date or preorder window yet—and it’s not a sure thing that we’ll get one soon. If talks conclude before autumn, we might see Romero Games officially re-announce the project during The Game Awards 2025 or one of the late-year digital showcases. That’s ideal timing for a proper hype cycle into 2026.
If you’re holding out hope, now’s the time to stay alert. This could go from “Dead Game Walking” to “Most Anticipated of 2026” under just the right conditions. Romero’s still got fight left in him—and apparently, so does this shooter.
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