John Romero, the Creator of Doom, Says That Video Games Are ‘the Pinnacle of Artistic Expression’
In ‘Doom Guy: Life in First Person,’ an Iconic Game Designer Chronicles His Personal and Professional Journey.
Renowned game designer John Romero has always allowed his creations to do the talking, preferring to let his work speak for itself. However, this changed during his attendance at a conference in Toronto when he was presented with an intriguing proposition.
The conference organizers expressed their desire to delve deeper into not only the games he had designed but also his personal journey, including his upbringing and the experiences that shaped him into the person he is today.
This conversation gave birth to ‘A Life in Game,’ a presentation he has delivered at various conferences since 2020. It ultimately served as the foundation for his latest memoir, ‘Doom Guy: Life in First Person.’ In this memoir, Romero not only shares his beginnings in the gaming industry but also delves into the complexities of his tumultuous childhood.
In 1991, Romero teamed up with three other individuals to establish id Software, with the standout member being programmer John Carmack.
Together, this talented team embarked on a journey that would result in the creation of numerous games, most notably the iconic 1993 release, ‘Doom.’ In this groundbreaking game, players assume the role of an unnamed soldier armed with an array of both realistic and sci-fi-inspired weaponry, tasked with battling hordes of demonic creatures from hell
Romero boasts an impressive portfolio of over 100 games, which includes timeless classics such as the Commander Keen series. Although he moved on from the series in the late ’90s, he periodically surprises fans by releasing new levels he personally designed for Doom and Doom II. Notably, he did so as recently as 2022, with the proceeds directed towards supporting those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, his creative journey is far from over. In 2015, Romero joined forces with his wife Brenda Romero, an accomplished game designer in her own right, to co-found Romero Games. Together, they are actively engaged in the development of multiple games, including the highly anticipated ‘Sigil 2’ and an exciting yet-to-be-named first-person shooter game.
Romero expressed his belief that video games represent “perhaps the most remarkable art form, an amalgamation of code, music, writing, and design, intricately woven together to create something of immense complexity.”
“We’re creating something that is not something you stare at, or you are just watching for two hours. We’re creating something that people can be in, and it requires the player to to make that story happen,” he said.
“And at some point the, you know, establishments will catch up and really realize it.”
