Romero Games Shuttered Amid Funding Fallout

In a shocking turn of events, the renowned Romero Games, co-founded by gaming legends John and Brenda Romero, has officially closed its doors following the unexpected withdrawal of funding from Microsoft. This news has sent ripples through the gaming community, particularly as over 100 talented individuals find themselves out of work.

A Meeting with No Warning

Just a day before the bombshell funding cut, employees at Romero Games had a meeting with Microsoft, which reportedly hinted at no impending issues. A former staff member revealed to TheJournal.ie, "There was no mention of it. It seemed so far away from us." This close call underscores the unpredictability within the industry, especially considering the studio had made significant progress on an exciting first-person shooter.

More Than Just a Development Team

Romero Games, which originally boasted 42 employees, had pooled resources from external staff to bring the total impacted employees to over 100 amid the chaos. This is part of a larger trend as Microsoft has been executing dramatic cuts and layoffs across its gaming divisions.

The Mixed Legacy of Romero Games

While the studio's debut project, 2020's Empire of Sin, received a lukewarm reception, garnering a mere 49% from reviews—some praised its potential, while others felt it fell short of expectations. Notably, last month saw a surprise expansion released by developer Moonmana, hinting at the game’s continued relevance.

In contrast, Romero Games also delighted fans with unofficial Doom expansions, Sigil and Sigil 2, which enhanced the classic game and were praised as worthy additions to the franchise. Fans speculate that the in-development FPS had the potential to follow in this esteemed legacy.

A Bright Future That Never Was

Before its abrupt termination, Romero Games had ramped up its social media presence and initiated an "FPS Fridays" series on Twitch, where fans enjoyed watching John Romero engage with various first-person shooters including popular titles like New Blood's Dusk. The closure leaves many wondering what could have been—a modern classic that now will remain a tantalizing 'what if' in the gaming universe.