#681: Doom Legend John Romero — The Path to Prolific Innovation and Making 130+ Games, How to Find the Soul of the Work, Audacious Ambition, and Building in Monk Mode | Science vs

Intro

In this episode of the “Science vs” podcast, host Wendy Zukerman interviews John Romero, a computer and video game legend known for designing and publishing over 130 games, including Doom, Quake, Wolfenstein 3D, and Commander Keen. Romero shares insights into his prolific career, the path to innovation, and the process of building games. He also discusses his memoir, Doom Guy, life in first person, and his experiences growing up in Tucson, Arizona.

Main Takeaways

John Romero’s Early Life and Background

• John Romero grew up in Tucson, Arizona, with a challenging childhood marked by poverty and an abusive father.
• Despite the hardships, Romero developed a passion for programming and gaming at a young age.
• His experiences growing up near the Yaki reservation influenced his understanding of his Mexican heritage.

The Path to Prolific Innovation

• Romero taught himself how to code at 11 years old and was inspired by early text games.
• His interest in programming was driven by his desire to create games and the iterative nature of programming.
• Romero’s breakthrough in gaming came with the creation of the first navigable maze on a screen, adding a third dimension of movement.
• He co-founded id Software and focused on efficiency, optimization, and scoping to create 13 games in one year.

The Making of Doom and Quake

• Romero and his team created Wolfenstein 3D, introducing high-speed 3D and solid filled walls in gaming.
• They applied positive constraints and optimized for speed to achieve breakthroughs in game development.
• Doom became a legendary game, with multiplayer mode and modding capabilities that revolutionized the industry.
• Quake, a massive technological leap from Doom, showcased the team’s dedication to pushing boundaries.

Lessons from John Romero’s Career

• Romero emphasizes the importance of focus, scoping, and removing elements that don’t contribute to the soul of a game.
• His hyperthymesia, a memory disorder, has both advantages and challenges in game design and programming.
• Collaboration, efficient teamwork, and a strong vision were crucial to Romero’s success.

Summary

John Romero’s Early Life and Background

John Romero’s childhood in Tucson, Arizona, was marked by poverty and an abusive father. Despite the challenges, Romero developed a passion for programming and gaming. Growing up near the Yaki reservation also influenced his understanding of his Mexican heritage.

The Path to Prolific Innovation

Romero’s interest in programming was driven by his desire to create games. He made breakthroughs in gaming by creating the first navigable maze on a screen, adding a third dimension of movement. His focus on efficiency, optimization, and scoping allowed him to create multiple games in a short period.

The Making of Doom and Quake

Romero and his team revolutionized the gaming industry with games like Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and Quake. They introduced high-speed 3D, multiplayer mode, and modding capabilities. The team’s dedication to pushing boundaries and their focus on optimizing technology led to the creation of legendary games.

Lessons from John Romero’s Career

Romero emphasizes the importance of focus, scoping, and removing elements that don’t contribute to the soul of a game. His hyperthymesia, a memory disorder, has both advantages and challenges in game design and programming. Collaboration, efficient teamwork, and a strong vision were crucial to Romero’s success.

Conclusion

John Romero’s journey as a computer and video game legend showcases the power of passion, focus, and innovation in the gaming industry. From his challenging childhood to his groundbreaking contributions to gaming, Romero’s story is one of resilience and creativity. His memoir, Doom Guy, life in first person, offers a deeper look into his experiences and the history of id Software.