Around 100 jobs are at risk at Galway-based video game studio Romero Games following the cancellation of a major development project, reportedly backed by Microsoft. The company confirmed this week that the funding for its in-progress title had been withdrawn by the publisher, leaving its future uncertain.
In a public statement, Romero Games expressed disappointment and concern for its staff, stating, “We’re currently evaluating next steps and working quickly to support our team. It’s an extremely difficult day, and we’re heartbroken that it’s come to this.”
The studio emphasized that the situation was not reflective of the team’s performance or the quality of the game, highlighting the unexpected nature of the decision. “This absolutely isn’t a reflection of our team’s work, performance, or the quality of the project itself,” the company said.
While Romero Games did not officially name the publisher, industry sources have indicated that Microsoft was behind the project. The tech giant announced sweeping job cuts earlier this week, slashing approximately 9,000 roles globally as part of ongoing cost-cutting measures across its gaming and technology divisions.
Founded in 2014 by renowned developers John and Brenda Romero, Romero Games has grown into a respected independent studio known for its creative talent and development of original and licensed titles. John Romero, considered a pioneer of the first-person shooter genre, was instrumental in the creation of iconic games such as Wolfenstein 3D and Doom.
The potential job losses would deal a significant blow to Galway’s gaming industry and the broader Irish tech sector. Game Workers Unite Ireland (GWUI), a division of the Financial Services Union (FSU) that represents employees in the gaming industry, has described the announcement as “devastating” for affected workers.
“The FSU is reaching out to staff in Romero to offer support and assistance,” a spokesperson for the union said.
The news has sparked concern within Ireland’s growing game development community, where studios often depend on international publishers for financial backing. The situation at Romero Games underscores the vulnerabilities faced by developers when publishers restructure or cancel projects mid-development.
Romero Games has called on the wider industry to assist its team in finding new opportunities, stating: “If you know of any opportunities or ways you can help our incredible team, please reach out.”
The company has yet to confirm whether redundancies will be finalized, but said it is actively reviewing its options to safeguard as many roles as possible.
