Tag: Romero Games

  • John Romero’s $50M FPS Revived as Innovative Indie Shooter

    John Romero’s $50M FPS Revived as Innovative Indie Shooter

    Key Takeaways

    1. Microsoft canceled several major projects, impacting Romero Games and their unnamed first-person shooter.
    2. Despite the cancellation, John Romero’s team is seeking new funding and has found a way to continue the project.
    3. The original FPS has been reimagined as a smaller indie game, moving away from AAA aspirations.
    4. The new game will be a single-player FPS, focusing on innovative mechanics and repurposing assets from the canceled project.
    5. Romero believes the gameplay will offer a unique experience, similar to the adventure of playing Elden Ring.

    Earlier this year, Microsoft made the decision to cancel several major projects and close down various studios. One of the affected was Romero Games, which was working on an unnamed first-person shooter. Thankfully, John Romero, co-creator of Doom and founder of the studio, shared that his project has evolved into something akin to Elden Ring.

    Development Journey

    Romero Games’ first-person shooter, backed by Microsoft, had been in the works for several years. The team, consisting of 110 dedicated members, invested their time into what Romero described as a “huge game,” with around $50 million put into its development. However, Microsoft decided to halt support due to restructuring plans earlier this year.

    A New Direction

    Despite the challenges, Romero’s FPS project is still alive. Speaking at the Salon del Videojuego de Madrid recently, he revealed that the studio is actively seeking new funding, even in the face of workforce reductions.

    Romero confirmed that they have found a way to move forward, but he has kept details about the funding and publisher under wraps. A representative from the studio commented, “We decline to reveal any details about funding or publishing at the time.”

    Innovative Changes

    Romero explained that the original shooter has been reimagined as a smaller indie project, stepping away from its AAA aspirations for something fresh and innovative.

    He noted during the panel:

    “We survived the cancellation of a huge game. A dedicated team of 110 has been working on this daily for years. The game has been completely redesigned. The new project is different from the previous version but includes several elements from it.”

    So, we’re not starting from scratch. With $50 million worth of assets, we can repurpose pieces into a new indie game.

    Currently, the game is confirmed to be a single-player FPS, without any co-op or multiplayer options. The main focus will be on introducing new mechanics that Romero believes will be a refreshing change.

    Romero also mentioned, “I’ve never experienced a game like it before, apart from it being a shooter. The gameplay will likely feel new to people, similar to how playing Elden Ring was a unique adventure.”

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  • Doom Creator Discusses Reviving Unannounced FPS After Funding Cut

    Doom Creator Discusses Reviving Unannounced FPS After Funding Cut

    Key Takeaways

    1. Microsoft withdrew support for an unannounced AAA first-person shooter project, risking over 100 jobs at Romero Games.
    2. The game was about halfway through development when funding was halted, but Romero Games is exploring partnerships with other publishers to revive it.
    3. John Romero emphasizes that the studio owns all aspects of the game, including the IP and code, allowing flexibility in future collaborations.
    4. Despite the setback, there is interest from multiple companies to continue the project, highlighting the potential value of the developed assets.
    5. John Romero sees a positive side, stating that even if the project doesn’t continue, the studio has significant assets worth $50 million to create new games.

    After Microsoft withdrew support for an unannounced AAA first-person shooter project, John Romero, co-creator of Doom and Quake, has shared that Romero Games is currently engaging with several publishers to bring the project back to life.

    Job Security Concerns

    In July 2025, Romero Games disclosed that Microsoft had halted funding for the unnamed game, jeopardizing over 100 jobs at the studio. Previous employees were taken aback, describing the situation as a “big shock,” especially since the studio had met with the publisher just the day prior without any hint of cancellation.

    There were rumors that the studio might close down, but Romero Games refuted these claims. Recently, the team had a conversation with Game Reactor during the San Diego Comic Con in Malaga.

    Project Status Update

    Romero acknowledged that the FPS project was “about midway” in its development when the funding was pulled. After reaching out to various publishers, it seems there is hope for the project to continue its development journey.

    In the interview, John Romero mentioned, “Well, we’re still figuring out what we’re gonna do with our big game. We own the IP, we own the code, we own everything about the game, right?”

    He emphasized that numerous companies remain keen on their project, even though Microsoft has shifted its focus towards broader infrastructure goals. Romero elaborated further:

    The Bright Side

    “We have many companies that are still interested and are working with us on it because when you develop a game for years and invest, let’s say, $50 million into it, if you switch and start collaborating with someone else, they essentially gain $50 million for free.”

    Despite the disappointment, John Romero sees a silver lining in Microsoft’s withdrawal of funding. The studio possesses a wealth of assets, mechanics, storylines, and artwork that another publisher may evaluate and potentially use to revive the Romero Games project.

    He added:

    “There are plenty of people eager to continue working on something, you know, and even if that doesn’t pan out, you have $50 million worth of assets you can use to create something new. So regardless of the outcome, you’re expediting the completion of your game, right? You already have a lot ready to go.”

    Initially teased in 2022, the project was described as “a new dawn,” indicating the studio’s move into FPS development following their work on Empires of Sin.

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