Ratings2
Average rating4.5
The inspiring, long-awaited autobiography of video game designer and DOOM cocreator John Romero John Romero, gaming’s original rock star, is the cocreator of DOOM, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3-D, some of the biggest video games of all time. Considered the godfather of the first- person shooter, a genre that continues to dominate the market today, he holds a unique place in gaming history. In DOOM Guy: Life in First Person, Romero chronicles, for the first time, his difficult childhood and storied career, beginning with his early days submitting Apple II game code to computer magazines and sneaking computers out the back door of his day job to write code at night. Industry-redefining breakthroughs in design and tech during Romero’s time at id Software made DOOM and Quake cultural phenomena, and this thrilling story recounts every step of the process, from collaborative, heavy metal–fueled days spent crafting the industry’s most revolutionary and cutting-edge games to a high-profile falling-out with id cofounder John Carmack. After years in the gaming spotlight, Romero is now telling his story—the whole story—shedding new light on the development of his games and his business partnerships, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, sharing insights about design, code, the industry, and his career right up to today. Sharing gratitude for a lifetime in games, Romero reveals the twists and turns that led him, ultimately, to be called DOOM Guy.
Reviews with the most likes.
You probably already know if you want to read John Romero’s life story.
I take his claim of having perfect recall with a grain of salt, but his recollections are nonetheless fascinating. While much of it is similar to Masters of Doom, hearing id’s history from one of the primary sources is once again a captivating ride.
I found the chapters on Romero’s formative years surprisingly interesting. And the epilogue and acknowledgments were a pleasant surprise: informative and emotional.
Only negative is that it could do with a bit of editing to help things flow better, and catch those times when Romero repeats himself.