John Romero
Reporting and statements that mention John Romero.
Latest coverage
Doom co-creator John Romero weighs in on Xbox's cuts to id Software, underlines the importance of digital preservation and the studio's history
Doom co-creator John Romero expressed his sorrow over the recent layoffs at id Software, acknowledging the personal impact of such events. He also emphasized the critical importance of preserving id Software's historical contributions to gaming, including its code and assets, as the company faces potential restructuring and rumors about the future of its id Tech engine.
Doom creator John Romero praises the devs who carried on id Software's legacy as Microsoft reportedly lays off half of the studio: "The last few games showed real care, skill, and respect"
Doom co-creator John Romero has expressed his sympathy for id Software employees affected by recent layoffs, which reportedly cut the studio in half. Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant restructure, impacting ZeniMax Studios and its subsidiaries, including id Software, Bethesda Game Studios, and Arkane Studios. Despite reports of Bethesda focusing on its strongest franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein, the extensive layoffs at id Software, particularly among coders working on the id Tech engine, raise concerns about the future of these series.
'My Heart's With All of You' — John Romero Says id Software Has 'Done a Great Job' Moving the Studio's Legacy Forward and Hopes Someone Is Working to Preserve It All Amid Xbox Layoffs
John Romero expressed his support for id Software, stating the studio has done a great job with its legacy and hopes for its preservation amidst recent Xbox layoffs. He commented on the impact of these cuts on the company.
The $69 Billion Hangover: Every Xbox Layoff Since The Activision Blizzard Merger
Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion has been followed by significant layoffs and studio closures within its Xbox division. These cuts, described by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma as a "reset" due to an unhealthy business, have impacted thousands of employees and led to the cancellation of several game projects across various studios since January 2024.
Ahead of next week's expected Xbox bloodbath, IO Interactive loses funding for its online fantasy RPG
IO Interactive has lost external funding for its online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, leading to anticipated layoffs. Microsoft confirmed it was the partner that pulled funding as it re-evaluates its investments. This news comes shortly after the successful launch of 007 First Light, but casts a shadow over the future of Project Fantasy and potentially other studios working with Microsoft.
Doom legend John Romero says the FPS game's 20 million shareware players "were not 'pirates' by default" and "history is messier than 'pirates killed the companies'"
Legendary Doom designer John Romero disputes the notion that video game piracy destroyed companies in the 1990s. He argues that Doom's shareware model, where the first episode was freely distributed, means many of its 20 million players were not 'pirates' by default. Romero suggests that while piracy did cost money, it wasn't the sole reason for the decline of certain studios, and that the messy history of game distribution is more complex than a simple 'pirates killed companies' narrative.
John Carmack apologizes after Sandy Petersen says 'Quake ruined id Software,' and for once John Romero…
Following the 30th anniversary of Quake, co-designer Sandy Petersen stated that the game 'ruined id Software' spiritually due to its intense development cycle, leading to many key figures leaving. John Carmack apologized for pushing the team too hard and for the overly ambitious technical scope of Quake, while John Romero echoed sentiments about the unsustainable pace. Despite the toll, all involved acknowledged Quake's status as an iconic game.
Doom soundtrack composer Bobby Prince dies aged 81
Bobby Prince, the composer behind the iconic soundtracks for Doom, Doom II, Wolfenstein 3D, and Duke Nukem 3D, has died at the age of 81. His innovative work helped define an era of gaming and influenced generations of players, with his contributions to Doom being preserved in the Library of Congress.
Doom and Wolfenstein 3D composer Bobby Prince dies aged 81
Bobby Prince, the composer known for his iconic soundtracks for Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, has died at the age of 81. Prince also contributed music to other id Software titles like Doom 2 and Commander Keen, as well as games such as Duke Nukem 3D and Rise Of The Triad. His work on the original Doom soundtrack was recently inducted into the US National Recording Registry.
Why so many game developers don't want to use generative AI
Many game developers express strong reservations about using generative AI, citing ethical concerns, environmental impact, copyright issues, and job security risks. Despite some executives championing AI as a tool for efficiency, a significant portion of the industry views it as unproven, potentially harmful to creativity, and undesirable by players.
In 1997, Warren Spector told us the upcoming PC classic Deus Ex was inspired by Final Fantasy, Miyamoto, and 'the…
A 1997 interview with legendary game designer Warren Spector reveals his early inspirations for the upcoming PC classic Deus Ex, including Final Fantasy VII and Shigeru Miyamoto's work. Spector discussed his move to Ion Storm and his vision for a first-person RPG that blended console accessibility with deep simulation, initially planning to use the Quake II engine before ultimately opting for Unreal.
The design lead of Half-Life's biggest competitor says that its publisher was so 'pissed off' by the time the game launched that it didn't bother testing it properly: 'We got trashed in the press because of bugs'
Robert M. Atkins, design lead for the 1998 first-person shooter Sin, revealed that its publisher Activision was upset with the developer Ritual Entertainment's formation of the Gathering of Developers publisher alliance. This strained relationship led to Activision allegedly not properly testing the game's gold master, resulting in significant bugs at launch that harmed its reception. The game also faced immense competition from Valve's Half-Life, which released shortly after.
Fallout lead Tim Cain argues games industry crisis hasn't reached the level of the 1983 crash: 'I don't…
Veteran developer Tim Cain argues that the current video game industry crisis, marked by layoffs and studio closures, does not yet match the severity of the 1983 crash. While acknowledging the current situation is dire for many, Cain believes the '80s collapse was more devastating, leading to a complete collapse of the US console market and the loss of a generation of developers.
In the early 1990s, Doom was famously installed on more PCs than Windows itself—but how many was that, actually?
An analysis explores the historical popularity of Doom in the early 1990s, citing figures suggesting it was installed on more PCs than Windows. While shareware downloads reached 20 million, a study referenced by Gabe Newell indicated Windows was on 30 million PCs in the US, with Doom being the number one product. The article questions the exact numbers and the significance of Doom's widespread adoption compared to the dominant operating system of the era.
Original Doom soundtrack to be inducted into US National Recording Registry
The original 1993 Doom soundtrack, composed by Bobby Prince, is being inducted into the US National Recording Registry. This marks the third video game soundtrack to receive this honor, following Minecraft: Volume Alpha and the Super Mario Bros. theme. The registry recognized Prince's innovative use of MIDI technology in creating the iconic score.
Doom Just Received One Of The Highest Cultural Honors In The US
The original Doom soundtrack by Robert Prince has been added to the US Library of Congress's National Recording Registry, recognizing its cultural and historical significance. The soundtrack, created by id Software during an era of technical limitations, is celebrated for its "adrenaline-fueled" and "riff-shredding" accompaniment to the genre-defining first-person shooter.
id Founders Attending QuakeCon 2026
The QuakeCon website has announced that the 30th anniversary edition of the convention will feature appearances by original Quake co-founders John Carmack, John Romero, Tom Hall, and Adrian Carmack. Further details about the event's programming are expected soon.
The original Doom soundtrack joins 'our national playlist' in the US Library of Congress
The soundtrack for the original Doom has been inducted into the United States Library of Congress's National Recording Registry. Composer Bobby Prince's work is recognized for its cultural and historical importance, joining other notable recordings like Taylor Swift's 1989 and the Super Mario Bros. theme. The induction highlights the significant impact of video game music on national heritage.
Doom is 10 years old today, and you can pick it up for just $2 on Steam
The 2016 reboot of Doom is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and Bethesda Softworks is offering the game for a limited time on Steam for $2, a 90% discount. Other Doom titles are also on sale, with prices ranging from $2 to $23.09, but the 2016 version is the cheapest and a highly recommended purchase.
Everyone knows Wolfenstein 3D made the FPS a phenomenon. What this mod presupposes is… what if it didn't?
The Isowulf mod reimagines Wolfenstein 3D from an isometric perspective, prompting speculation about whether the first-person shooter genre would have emerged if this had been the original design. Despite the hypothetical impact, the mod is praised for its faithful recreation and the enduring quality of id Software's original design.
