Contrary to recent speculation, Romero Games has issued an official statement confirming the studio remains operational. The Irish developer co-founded by Doom co-creator John Romero found itself at the center of industry rumors following Microsoft's sweeping layoffs, which affected approximately 9,000 employees across its divisions including Xbox.

Microsoft's restructuring efforts led to multiple game cancellations and even the closure of The Initiative studio. Amid this turbulence, Romero Games revealed the termination of an in-development title after an undisclosed publisher—widely speculated to be Xbox—withdrew funding. This development fueled further rumors about the studio's potential shutdown.

Official Clarification and Future Plans

In a recent announcement, Romero Games debunked shutdown rumors, stating the studio is "not closed" and leadership is taking all necessary measures to prevent that outcome. The team confirmed recent on-site discussions about "next steps," though hinted at potential restructuring and staffing reassessments.

While avoiding direct naming of the publisher behind their canceled project due to legal constraints, the studio noted that "some may infer it from public information." On a positive note, Romero Games revealed ongoing talks with multiple publishers to revive the shelved title.

Industry Reactions and Moving Forward

John Romero echoed the studio's resilience on Twitter, calling his team and their project "worth fighting for." With new publisher negotiations underway, fans might see updates soon. Meanwhile, Microsoft's layoffs continue sparking debates about gaming's future, from AI's role to Xbox Game Pass's sustainability.

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