John Romero
Reporting and statements that mention John Romero.
Latest coverage
Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show announces exhibitor lineup for 2026
Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show has revealed its exhibitor lineup for 2026, featuring major companies like Capcom, Bandai Namco, and The Pokémon Company, alongside Nintendo and PlayStation represented by partners. The event will also host over 70 speakers, including John Romero, who will receive a lifetime achievement award. Separately, a Valve bug has led to the accidental leak of achievement data for numerous unreleased and unannounced Steam games, including Fable, Persona 6, and Kingdom Hearts 4.
Warren Spector announces his retirement from game development
Veteran game developer Warren Spector, known for his work on Deus Ex, Thief, and Disney Epic Mickey, has announced his retirement from the industry after a 44-year career. Spector expressed mixed feelings but cited age, health, and a changing game business as reasons for his departure, though he hasn't ruled out future consulting or writing projects.
I got so freaked out by the fact that Gordon Freeman is canonically 27 that I decided to find out how old all the other classic FPS protagonists are, and it didn't make me feel better
This article explores the canonical ages of various classic first-person shooter protagonists from the 1990s, starting with the surprising revelation that Gordon Freeman is only 27. It delves into the lore of characters like B.J. Blazkowicz, Kyle Katarn, and Duke Nukem, discussing how their ages were determined or left ambiguous by developers.
'Thank you so much for the best weekend ever': The id Software gang got together at QuakeCon, and it sure looks like everyone had a great time
The id Software co-founders Adrian Carmack, John Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero reunited at QuakeCon for the game's 30th anniversary, marking their first gathering since 1994. Despite past internal conflicts and recent industry layoffs, the reunion was described as a highly positive and emotional experience by attendees, including former employees like American McGee and Donna Jackson.
Quoteworthy
John Romero shared an anecdote about id Software selling empty Doom boxes to Taiwanese pirates to circumvent distribution issues, stating it was a form of distribution for them. Trent Reznor also commented on Doom's impact.
Doom creator id Software used Taiwanese pirates to help distribute the game, John Romero reveals
Co-founder of id Software, John Romero, revealed that the company collaborated with Taiwanese pirates to distribute the game Doom during the Shareware era. Instead of fighting piracy, id Software provided cheap copies to pirates to ensure widespread distribution in regions where they lacked a presence. This strategy helped establish the game's reach and was considered crucial for distribution.
Trent Reznor on Doom: 'In some ways I felt a parallel with what I was trying to do with music'
Trent Reznor, composer for the original Quake, drew parallels between his music and the groundbreaking nature of Doom. He discussed his initial fascination with Wolfenstein 3D and how Doom's technological advancements and creative freedom resonated with his own artistic expression. Reznor expressed pride in his work on Quake and its enduring legacy.
30 years after it 'ruined id Software,' Quake gets another big update while the studio once again grapples…
MachineGames has released a new update for id Software's 1996 game Quake, titled 'Dawn of the Machine,' adding a new chapter with 19 levels and new weapon variants. The update also includes archival development materials and previously unfinished levels. The announcement coincided with the 30th anniversary of John Romero's departure from id Software, a period that saw several key figures leave the company after Quake's development.
John Romero says id Software once sold empty Doom boxes to Taiwanese pirates so fans there could have legit copies:…
John Romero revealed that id Software once sold empty boxes of Doom to Taiwanese pirates to legitimize their distribution of the shareware version. The company was content with this arrangement, viewing it as a way to get the game out to as many people as possible before the internet was widespread. id Software also opted not to implement copy protection, believing it was a losing battle.
Evening Gatherings and Events
John Romero has been announced as the keynote speaker for the upcoming Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show event. Further details regarding his address are expected closer to the event dates.
John Romero announced as keynote speaker for Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show
id Software co-founder John Romero has been announced as the keynote speaker for the business conference at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok. The event, running from October 29th to November 1st, will feature speakers from companies like Tencent and Godot, and has expanded its floor space by 20% following a successful 2025 debut.
Conceived in a secure military facility, this Jedi Knight fansite has been running consistently for almost 30 years: 'It looks really close to what it did back in 1998'
The Massassi Temple, a fan website dedicated to Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2, has been continuously operating since 1998, making it one of the internet's longest-running gaming communities. Founded by Brian E. Lozier, the site began as a hub for tutorials and has evolved into a comprehensive archive of mods and multiplayer maps, supported by a dedicated community. Despite the decline of many early gaming websites and the shift towards larger platforms, The Massassi Temple persists, with Lozier now focusing on preserving its extensive community creations.
The Washington Post selects Doom as one of the 25 'most influential works of American culture'
The Washington Post has recognized the original 1993 shooter Doom as one of the 25 most influential works of American culture. The publication highlighted Doom's foundational role in digital entertainment, its pioneering use of the internet for distribution, and its impact on user-generated content. The article also touches on the game's controversial legacy and its cultural significance, as noted by Washington Post critic Gene Park and designer John Romero.
"I don't know how anyone remaining at Xbox Studios can feel safe" - New report reveals environment of uncertainty and fear, and a "staggering" loss of institutional knowledge
A new report details an environment of fear and uncertainty within Microsoft's Xbox Studios following recent layoffs, with employees unsure of future cuts and the impact on game development. Studios like id Software and Bethesda Game Studios have lost significant talent, raising concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge and the ability to maintain core franchises and proprietary technology.
Id Software confirms layoffs reduced the team to its size 'when making DOOM (2016)'
Id Software has confirmed significant layoffs, reducing its team size to what it was during the development of DOOM (2016). The studio thanked fans for their support and stated it would still be present at QuakeCon 2026. Reports indicate around 96 on-site and 40 remote roles were affected.
QuakeCon 2026 will be a place for celebration, mourning, and outrage
Recent layoffs at Xbox and id Software cast a somber shadow over the upcoming QuakeCon 2026, turning what should be a celebration into a potential funeral. The article discusses the uncertainty surrounding id Software's future, the potential abandonment of their proprietary id Tech engine in favor of Unreal Engine, and the likely fan outrage at the event.
"My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand' statement isn't aging well" - id Software co-founder John Carmack speaks out after devastating Xbox layoffs
id Software co-founder John Carmack commented on the recent significant layoffs at his former studio following Xbox's restructuring. Carmack expressed sadness but not anger, suggesting id Software may have been a marginal business for Microsoft, with Minecraft revenues potentially subsidizing other studios. He reflected on the challenges of making games financially successful in a competitive market and questioned potential strategies for increasing revenue and reducing costs without alienating the existing player base.
Id Software co-founder John Carmack "can’t muster anger or outrage" over Xbox gutting the Doom studio, but does say it'll "dampen the mood of the founder reunion"
Id Software co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness but not anger over the recent layoffs at the studio, suggesting that the company may have been a marginal business for Microsoft. He believes games need to succeed financially to continue being produced and that executives aren't always the problem, though he acknowledges the possibility. Carmack hopes the studio can recover despite the uncertain future.
id Software co-founder says "my 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand' statement isn't aging well" after the Doom maker lost 136 of its 185 staff to layoffs
id Software co-founder John Carmack commented on the significant layoffs at the studio under Microsoft, stating his previous belief that Microsoft would be a good steward of the brand is not aging well. He suspects id Software was a marginal business for Microsoft, with Minecraft's profits potentially subsidizing other studios. Carmack also reflected on game development needing to succeed financially, not just be beloved, and speculated on alternative strategies that could have improved id's financial performance.
Evening Reading - July 9, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and features, including reviews for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Digimon Story, discussions on 2XKO and Guilty Gear Strive, and mentions of Microsoft's potential new Quake game. It also touches on industry layoffs and includes personal anecdotes and internet content.
