John Romero’s New Shooter Falls Flat After Xbox Cuts Funding – What Went Wrong?

DOOM mastermind John Romero’s latest FPS might’ve just hit a brick wall. Microsoft’s internal shakeup has officially yanked the plug on funding, putting Romero Games’ latest dream project on life support. Buckle up – this is going to rattle every shooter fan’s soul.

Romero’s Comeback FPS is Now in Limbo

A couple of years back, when Romero Games announced they were working on a “new AAA first-person shooter” with a heavy dose of Unreal Engine 5 firepower, fans of old-school carnage got hyped. And why not? We’re talking about John Romero – the godfather of DOOM and one of the key architects of the FPS genre as we know it today.

Fast forward to 2024, and here’s the bummer. According to a recent Eurogamer report, Romero’s still-untitled shooter was being funded by Microsoft through its ID@Xbox publishing program. But after Microsoft laid off nearly 2,000 employees tied to Activision Blizzard and ZeniMax projects, the funding for Romero’s game was swept off the board. That’s right — Xbox funding cut. This isn’t just a fumble; it might be a critical hit to the studio’s future output.

So What Was This Game Supposed to Be Anyway?

Let’s rewind the tape. Romero Games, mostly led by husband-and-wife duo John and Brenda Romero (who’s also a games industry veteran and BAFTA award-winner), had just come off 2020’s Empire of Sin, a mob strategy game that got mixed feedback. So when they teased they were jumping headfirst back into shooter territory with a brand new FPS IP, hardcore fans perked up.

The game was said to be built entirely in Unreal Engine 5 and was targeting “a new franchise” – meaning bullets, demons (probably), and chaotic fun felt inevitable. Romero Games opened job listings for AI engineers and level designers around the project. The hype was building, even if slowly.

Unreal Engine shooter + John Romero = slam dunk potential, right?

Apparently Microsoft thought so — until this year’s restructuring. Now, it seems like Romero’s vision is adrift. Not cancelled, technically — but with public funding gone and Xbox stepping away from the table, development status has become murky. Eurogamer reached out to both Romero Games and Microsoft’s ID@Xbox, but both parties kept mum.

Microsoft Cuts: Collateral Damage or Strategic Pivot?

This kinda fallout isn’t surprising if you’ve peeped the bigger picture. Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard for a jaw-dropping $68.7 billion, and the shockwaves are still shaking. A couple of weeks back, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer dropped the bomb – layoffs, re-orgs, and a leaner, meaner Xbox. The timing couldn’t be worse for smaller partners like Romero Games.

That fallout includes axing projects that don’t align with current goals — and apparently, funding Romero’s new FPS wasn’t making the cut. It raises tough questions: Are innovation projects getting overlooked in favour of bankable franchises like Call of Duty? And where does that leave legendary developers trying to launch new IP?

Is Romero Games in Trouble?

Here’s where things get dicey. Romero isn’t just any indie developer. He’s FPS royalty. But even royalty needs a kingdom (and cash) to conquer. Without Microsoft’s support, Romero Games will need to secure new game development funding – whether that’s through another publisher, private investors, or even crowdfunding. It’s an awkward spot, especially with game production costs ballooning in the UE5 era.

And fans? They’re not thrilled. Some voiced disappointment online, concerned this could be the end of Romero’s attempt to bring back the glory days of hardcore shooters. Others remain hopeful that the project will find another financial lifeline. Still, in an industry where nostalgia carries weight, someone could easily step up to fund Romero’s vision. I mean, who wouldn’t want to say they helped revive an FPS from the guy behind DOOM and Quake?

What Happens Next?

Right now, the details are foggy. Romero Games hasn’t confirmed if work is paused, slowed, or completely frozen. With E3 long gone and no major showcase slots booked, odds are we won’t get an update anytime soon. But the project isn’t officially dead — it’s just lost its biggest backer.

Still, speculation is flying. Does Sony step up? Does Epic Games support them, considering this is built on their engine? Or does Romero go underground… and come back swinging for blood? All we know is this: the FPS world could really use a fresh, chaotic, Romero-infused shooter right about now. Let’s just hope it gets the second chance it deserves.