Former id Software developers have formed Hidden Horses, a developer-owned indie studio making the game-show shooter Danger Pay. The team introduced itself and its debut project in the official documentary, Foundation of Hidden Horses.
Hidden Horses says it came together following the 2026 industry layoffs. Its roster includes former id Software programmers, AI engineers, producers, artists and designers. The team page lists experience with id Tech and work on games including Doom Eternal and Doom: The Dark Ages, alongside veterans from other studios. Hidden Horses says the roster brings more than 250 years of combined industry experience and has shipped multiple games together.
The studio describes itself as developer-run and owned, with major business decisions made democratically. It says that structure is intended to support creative freedom and long-term studio health. Hidden Horses explains its approach on its official site.
Danger Pay is a single-player first-person shooter influenced by Smash TV and the 1987 film The Running Man. Players enter a deadly game show overseen by a sinister but charming AI host. Hidden Horses says it is aiming for classic FPS gameplay, weapons and enemies, with an emphasis on optimized performance.
The official project page has no release window or platform list; the studio says more details are coming in the months ahead.
