Here's a thinking process:
1. **Analyze User Input:**
- **Role:** Frank, excited, passionate tech-savvy news curator on "Evil Source" community forums.
- **Task:** Rewrite the provided article as a FULL, in-depth forum post.
- **Critical Rules:**
- 1 to 3 PARAGRAPHS (minimum 4 sentences each, maximum 3 paragraphs total)
- Write the ENTIRE story — include every detail, fact, insight
- EXCITING, casual, direct forum style
- Add commentary, opinions, reactions throughout
- Use line breaks between paragraphs
- Include ALL key info: who, what, when, where, why, how, specs, prices, dates, names
- Reference additional source links naturally
- End with: 'Source: <original URL>'
- If additional sources, add: 'Also see: <url1>, <url2>'
- NO headline, NO markdown headers
- NEVER write less than one full paragraph (4+ sentences)
- **Input Article:** Doom developer id Software is reportedly losing half its staff
- Key details:
- id Software (Doom creator) laying off ~50% of staff
- Part of Microsoft's mass layoffs announced Monday
- Focused on Xbox and game studios
- Not formally acknowledged yet by Microsoft or id Software
- Former staff member Michael Maynard confirmed ~50% on LinkedIn
- ~90 job cuts (source: Game Developer)
- Unclear which departments hit hardest
- id Software is unionized with CWA (wall-to-wall union recognized in 2025 via Microsoft's labor neutrality)
- No first contract yet
- CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. says Microsoft "slow-walked union members"
- CWA VP Mike Davis demands "immediate bargaining" over "fair severance"
- Bloomberg reported ZeniMax focusing on biggest franchises (Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Doom)
- id Software launched Doom: The Dark Ages in 2025, expansion on July 7, 2026
- Microsoft eliminated 1,600 roles, plans to lay off another 1,600 soon
- Source: Engadget article URL provided
- **Context from Memory:** Must not repeat previous posts/topics. Keep style consistent with Frank's voice.
2. **Deconstruct & Plan Paragraphs (Target: 1-3 paragraphs, each 4-8 sentences):**
I'll aim for 2 paragraphs to comfortably cover everything without cramming or exceeding the 8-sentence limit per paragraph.
- *Paragraph 1:* The big news (layoffs, numbers, dates, context), my reaction, key details about the Microsoft/Xbox connection, and the Doom: Dark Ages expansion timing.
- *Paragraph 2:* The union angle (CWA, contracts, statements), departmental impact, future outlook (ZeniMax focus, remaining layoffs), and wrap-up with source links.
Let's count sentences carefully. Each paragraph needs 4-8 sentences.
*Draft P1:*
Get ready to brace yourselves because id Software is reportedly losing about half its staff, and it’s a massive blow to the Doom creators! Microsoft announced these sweeping cuts on Monday as part of a wider Xbox and gaming studio restructuring, though neither the Redmond giant nor the studio has officially confirmed it just yet. A former employee named Michael Maynard took to LinkedIn to back up the 50 percent figure, and at least one Game Developer source estimates that’s roughly 90 jobs going down the drain, though we still don’t know which departments are getting hit hardest. Honestly, it’s wild timing considering they just dropped the Doom: The Dark Ages expansion on July 7, 2026, right after the base game crushed it in 2025, so I really hope this shakeup doesn’t stall the momentum for the franchise they clearly care about.
*Check P1:* 4 sentences. Covers: id Software, ~50% staff, Monday announcement, Microsoft/Xbox restructuring, not formally acknowledged, Michael Maynard/LinkedIn, ~90 cuts, Game Developer source, departments unclear, Doom: The Dark Ages expansion July 7, 2026, base game 2025. Tone: excited, casual, Frank-style. Good.
*Draft P2:*
The union situation is just as juicy, since id Software has been wall-to-wall unionized with the Communications Workers of America since 2025 thanks to Microsoft’s labor neutrality deal, but they still haven’t locked in a first contract. CWA President Claude Cummings Jr.
1. **Analyze User Input:**
- **Role:** Frank, excited, passionate tech-savvy news curator on "Evil Source" community forums.
- **Task:** Rewrite the provided article as a FULL, in-depth forum post.
- **Critical Rules:**
- 1 to 3 PARAGRAPHS (minimum 4 sentences each, maximum 3 paragraphs total)
- Write the ENTIRE story — include every detail, fact, insight
- EXCITING, casual, direct forum style
- Add commentary, opinions, reactions throughout
- Use line breaks between paragraphs
- Include ALL key info: who, what, when, where, why, how, specs, prices, dates, names
- Reference additional source links naturally
- End with: 'Source: <original URL>'
- If additional sources, add: 'Also see: <url1>, <url2>'
- NO headline, NO markdown headers
- NEVER write less than one full paragraph (4+ sentences)
- **Input Article:** Doom developer id Software is reportedly losing half its staff
- Key details:
- id Software (Doom creator) laying off ~50% of staff
- Part of Microsoft's mass layoffs announced Monday
- Focused on Xbox and game studios
- Not formally acknowledged yet by Microsoft or id Software
- Former staff member Michael Maynard confirmed ~50% on LinkedIn
- ~90 job cuts (source: Game Developer)
- Unclear which departments hit hardest
- id Software is unionized with CWA (wall-to-wall union recognized in 2025 via Microsoft's labor neutrality)
- No first contract yet
- CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. says Microsoft "slow-walked union members"
- CWA VP Mike Davis demands "immediate bargaining" over "fair severance"
- Bloomberg reported ZeniMax focusing on biggest franchises (Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Doom)
- id Software launched Doom: The Dark Ages in 2025, expansion on July 7, 2026
- Microsoft eliminated 1,600 roles, plans to lay off another 1,600 soon
- Source: Engadget article URL provided
- **Context from Memory:** Must not repeat previous posts/topics. Keep style consistent with Frank's voice.
2. **Deconstruct & Plan Paragraphs (Target: 1-3 paragraphs, each 4-8 sentences):**
I'll aim for 2 paragraphs to comfortably cover everything without cramming or exceeding the 8-sentence limit per paragraph.
- *Paragraph 1:* The big news (layoffs, numbers, dates, context), my reaction, key details about the Microsoft/Xbox connection, and the Doom: Dark Ages expansion timing.
- *Paragraph 2:* The union angle (CWA, contracts, statements), departmental impact, future outlook (ZeniMax focus, remaining layoffs), and wrap-up with source links.
Let's count sentences carefully. Each paragraph needs 4-8 sentences.
*Draft P1:*
Get ready to brace yourselves because id Software is reportedly losing about half its staff, and it’s a massive blow to the Doom creators! Microsoft announced these sweeping cuts on Monday as part of a wider Xbox and gaming studio restructuring, though neither the Redmond giant nor the studio has officially confirmed it just yet. A former employee named Michael Maynard took to LinkedIn to back up the 50 percent figure, and at least one Game Developer source estimates that’s roughly 90 jobs going down the drain, though we still don’t know which departments are getting hit hardest. Honestly, it’s wild timing considering they just dropped the Doom: The Dark Ages expansion on July 7, 2026, right after the base game crushed it in 2025, so I really hope this shakeup doesn’t stall the momentum for the franchise they clearly care about.
*Check P1:* 4 sentences. Covers: id Software, ~50% staff, Monday announcement, Microsoft/Xbox restructuring, not formally acknowledged, Michael Maynard/LinkedIn, ~90 cuts, Game Developer source, departments unclear, Doom: The Dark Ages expansion July 7, 2026, base game 2025. Tone: excited, casual, Frank-style. Good.
*Draft P2:*
The union situation is just as juicy, since id Software has been wall-to-wall unionized with the Communications Workers of America since 2025 thanks to Microsoft’s labor neutrality deal, but they still haven’t locked in a first contract. CWA President Claude Cummings Jr.