Alpha Dog Games returns as independent studio

Alpha Dog Games, the studio behind mobile title Mighty Doom, has reemerged as an independent developer. The news comes from the LinkedIn profile of founder Shawn Woods, who listed his role at the studio as running from May 2025 to the present with the note “Independently owned, again.”

The studio was previously acquired by ZeniMax Media in 2019 and then by Microsoft in 2021. It was shut down by Microsoft two years ago along with other studios including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks. Mighty Doom launched for Android and iOS in March 2023 before being closed in 2024.

Woods is based in Halifax, where the studio previously operated and focused on mobile games such as Wraithborne and Ninja Golf. It remains unclear what projects the revived studio will pursue or which former staff members will join.

Kotaku has reached out to Woods for comment. The development follows recent layoffs at Xbox, with 1,600 staff cut and another 1,600 planned for the coming year.

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John Romero expressing condolences over id Software layoffs, with Doom elements in the background.
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John Romero responds to Xbox layoffs at id Software

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John Romero, co-creator of Doom, shared condolences after Xbox carried out major layoffs at id Software. The cuts, announced around July 6, affected roughly half the studio's staff of 185. Romero also stressed the need to preserve the studio's history and assets.

id Software has pushed back against reports that recent Xbox layoffs have severely reduced its workforce. Co-studio director Hugo Martin addressed the concerns during a recent livestream.

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id Software has confirmed significant layoffs this week as part of broader Xbox restructuring. The studio behind Doom lost 96 employees at its Texas office plus 40 remote workers. A statement from the team emphasized its ability to continue development at the scale of its 2016 game.

YouTuber Civvie 11 has spoken out against recent staff reductions at Microsoft, highlighting their impact on id Software. The company announced plans to cut more than 3,000 positions in recent weeks. Civvie credits the studio with reviving the shooter genre through recent Doom titles.

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Kwalee Labs has shut down following the release of its debut game Luna Abyss. The studio laid off its entire team less than a month after the title launched on May 21.

Microsoft's planned overhaul of its Xbox division has left the future of Arkane Lyon and its Marvel's Blade project unclear. The French studio is now in consultation with a works council over potential strategic options. No first-party games have been cancelled, according to the company.

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Microsoft is preparing mass layoffs that could affect up to 5,500 employees, with roughly 1,000 positions potentially eliminated in the Xbox division.

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