In a stunning turn of events, Romero Games, the studio founded by iconic Doom designer John Romero and Brenda Romero, has officially shut its doors after losing critical funding from Microsoft. This closure has left over 100 people out of work, marking yet another casualty in the tech giant's ongoing layoffs.

According to reports from TheJournal.ie and VGC, former employees revealed that the studio had met with Microsoft just one day before the funding was pulled—and there was no hint of any impending disaster. One ex-employee shared the shock, stating, "It seemed so far away from us," despite the looming staff reductions prevalent within the company.

Romero Games had employed around 42 people directly, but the team's work on an unnamed first-person shooter (FPS) project further inflated the number of affected individuals to over 100 due to external contributions.

Previously, the studio's first major title, 2020's Empire of Sin, received mixed reviews. Online Editor Fraser Brown praised its ambitious ideas but criticized its execution, giving it a mere 49%. Surprisingly, the game received an expansion just last month, hinting at potential that might have carried over to future projects.

However, Romero Games found more success with unofficial Doom expansions, Sigil and Sigil 2, released in 2018 and 2023, respectively. These additions have been well-received and celebrated in the gaming community, leading many to speculate what a full-blown FPS from the studio could have achieved.

Before this tragic turn, Romero Games appeared to be ramping up for an announcement, actively engaging with fans on social media. Their "FPS Fridays" series on Twitch was gaining traction, showcasing the potential of modern FPS games, including titles from developer New Blood.

With this sudden closure, the gaming world has lost not just a studio but potentially a landmark FPS experience that could have reshaped the genre. The shocking fallout continues to reverberate as fans and industry insiders express their disbelief and disappointment.