Laid-off Id Software devs form employee-owned studio Hidden Horses
Former Id Software staff laid off by Xbox have launched Hidden Horses, an employee-owned studio funding its first project via Kickstarter.
A group of more than 20 former Id Software developers, artists, and designers has established Hidden Horses, an independent studio structured as employee-owned. The team includes co-founders Andrew Willis and Regan Carver, who emphasized shared ownership as a way to align developer commitment with studio success. The studio aims to blend individual empowerment with focused decision-making to pursue ambitious game projects.
Hidden Horses is launching a Kickstarter campaign to finance its debut project, the single-player first-person shooter Danger Pay. Funds will cover startup costs such as licenses, hardware, and healthcare, with the initial goal reflecting the project’s timeline and development needs. The studio’s structure prioritizes transparency and collective ownership over traditional corporate models.
Co-founder Regan Carver described the transition from Id Software as a shift from relying on corporate stability to building a venture where mutual care replaces external validation. He contrasted the security of a large studio with the autonomy and shared risk of Hidden Horses, framing the move as a deliberate choice to regain creative control.
The announcement follows Xbox’s July layoffs of approximately 136 Id Software employees. Despite reductions, Id Software stated it retained the core team required to continue development on its proprietary engines and games, reaffirming its flat studio philosophy and long-term focus.