A group of developers who left id Software during Microsoft's July 2026 layoffs has established a new studio called Hidden Horses. The studio currently has 19 members and operates under an employee-owned model. Its first title, Hazard Pay, has been revealed via Kickstarter.
As of July 2026, the number of confirmed employees who have left id Software has reached 136. Studio management stated that this figure represents approximately half of the original team. The layoffs occurred around the time of the "Apocalypse" DLC launch for DOOM: The Dark Ages, with several affected employees recalling the shock of that day in Hidden Horses' founding documentary.
Co-founder John-Michael Quinlan stated that losing so much talent before the DLC's release felt like an "attack." Other members also spoke about losing long-time colleagues and friends, financial pressures on their families, and being unable to enjoy the game's launch day as they normally would.
Hazard Pay is a single-player first-person shooter set in a deadly game show, emphasizing fast-paced action and gameplay design. The team stated that after leaving the large corporation, members gained greater creative freedom, allowing them to discuss ideas collectively and decide on the direction of development. The developers also plan to create a unified and distinct visual style while fully optimizing performance. Currently, no confirmed release date or target platforms have been announced, and crowdfunding results have not been disclosed.