Former developers from Id Software have established a new employee-owned company called Hidden Horses

A collective of former developers from Id Software, impacted by substantial layoffs at Xbox, have started an independent, employee-owned venture named Hidden Horses.

This new company consists of over 20 ex-employees of Id Software, including developers, artists, and designers, with a model that offers employees ownership stakes in their projects. "We're crafting a workplace where our team's investment goes beyond a regular role," explained co-founder and executive producer Andrew Willis. "Ownership results in greater dedication," he added.

Hidden Horses intends to leverage this approach to give individual team members more influence while ensuring efficient decision-making for ambitious gaming projects.

The studio is initiating a Kickstarter campaign to finance its debut title, a single-player first-person shooter called Danger Pay. This funding will aid in covering essentials like licenses, equipment, and health benefits, aligning with the project’s timeline and expenses.

In a video detailing the founding of the studio, co-founder and rendering programmer Regan Carver expressed, "This endeavor is exhilarating because we're assuming the risk ourselves. We were successful as a company before, earning revenue and creating quality work. However, the concern was about the company's investment in us as individuals, which eventually faded," he noted.

He further elaborated, "This time, we prioritize mutual care, leaving success as the goal. Our previous model fell short, but now we're poised to pursue our passions and share our visions."

After July's layoffs, which affected around 136 Id employees, the developer reassured the public it retained "the crew necessary" to continue producing the beloved games and technology it is famous for, despite operating with a smaller team.

According to a statement, "The current team reflects the size we had while creating Doom (2016). We foster a horizontal studio culture where everyone is a creator, a philosophy we intend to uphold."

Id Software emphasized their dedication to mutual support among affected team members, committing to continue crafting the high-quality games and tech they've been associated with for over thirty-five years.