Chris Hays, Lead Programmer @ id Software: “I don’t feel like we work for a game company anymore” “We make games and we hope the thing that we do make [Microsoft’s] spreadsheet line go up enough that they decide that we are worth keeping on for another year”

Xbox fanboys are going to want this guy to get fired.

Full article and interview here:

Let’s be honest. Phil loosened the leash and a lot of studios took off doing whatever they want which led to generational losses which then led to these layoffs. Can’t sit here and act like a company like this is going to keep investing into studios that aren’t doing well and think that other studios wouldnt be affected as well. Does ID deserve this? No but they can blame ninja theory, compulsion, double fine, Bethesda, 343, etc for that. It’s a big ecosystem that was failing in multiple areas major and minor. Everyone gets affected. That’s how the cookie crumbles in business at this level. Make great games and I’m sure they’ll hire more people.

So if Microsoft hadn’t bought them they would have closed according to him. He should feel fortunate to have a job in 2026….no?

Enough? Dark ages didn't even turn a profit. This entited mf just wants a free salary with zero accountability

Is he fucking stupid ? He has to make a game that people want to buy and play. To do that they need the game to be good. Do devs think they just make games solely for passion and art ? This shit costs money lol

Another example of how Microsoft are absolutely atrocious in the gaming space. No innovation, no creativity and no respect for gamers or developers.

Xbox doing what they do best ruining the game companies they buy

What does he think would happen as an independent? Its the same math. Do people still need a salary? Does rent still need to be paid? All the other 100 things? At any time they could all quit and make the next mecca chameleon if they wanted to. But it rarely if ever works that way. Get real

Yeah that's how businesses work?

Isn't that how people work for a job? Your boss has got to pay your every month so why can't he decide if you are worth his money? You always can do it for free. You can go indie and publish your work on Steam. You chose not to. Then you have to be evaluated from time to time.

That’s how JOBS work. Get back to work you lazy mfers 🏏🤑

That’s called working a job. If you don’t like it, quit and go independent and see how that works out for you.

@GamesAndWario

@M00CHTV no shit... do these employees really think a mega corporation is there to be art patrons? corporations are greedy entities that only think about money, and if that graph isnt going up all the time they see you as worthless

Maybe he should see if they can buy their independence again and work with that same mentality that they don't have to make a profit

Im sure timdog will say to sack him and want his head now like he is with Matt booty after the interview he just had. How dare they talk!

Id chould go independent on themselves and create games in freedom how they want it to be or talk to sony , we need shooters of high quality

@NINJA_2029 This is a sad situation for some Xbox devs. Just making games in hopes that Microsoft’s line ticks up a little and the studio survives for another year. This sounds so demoralizing 😐

@GamingAndPandas Sounds similar to what the lead developer at Tencent™ said before he bailed (off the roof)

@GamingAndPandas

James is a wank man! Pony fanboy and ID software games haven’t been selling what do they expect?

Fire him. Immediately

It's 2026. Chris Hays and his ex-colleagues are only NOW figuring this out? Welcome to fuckin' reality guys. @idSoftware

You are too old. Think about retirement or work for nothing if your bank account “spreadsheet line” is unbecoming xd

Bro dont fuck around but still found out. That microslop for you

@longislandviper

Still don't care.

Are you serious?

Essa galera deveria entender que eles trabalham pra uma empresa privada. É o capitalismo infelizmente. Mas eu garanto que falar mau de onde tu trabalha de forma pública não vão te assegurar de nada.

Interestingly, how can I company keep so many haters within for years…

Where were these posts about ex Bungie and BluePoint devs?

so if what you make dont make the line go up, how long do you expect to keep working there?

Omg its so fucking shocking... not really This has been reality for devs for 2 years now in all verticles