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#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

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Jul 12, 2023

Guest

John Romero

In this engaging discussion, legendary game developer John Romero, co-creator of iconic titles like DOOM and Quake, shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a gaming pioneer. He dives into the evolution of game design, emphasizing how technology has transformed the industry. Romero also explores the ambitious development processes behind his groundbreaking games, revealing insights about innovation, collaboration, and even his unique memory condition. Don't miss his personal anecdotes and reflections on the gaming world!

01:32:08

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ANECDOTE

First Programming Experience

John Romero's first computer experience was at a college lab at age 11.
He taught himself BASIC programming and made text adventure games, despite not owning a computer for three more years.

insights

INSIGHT

Motivation for Coding

John Romero's initial motivation for coding was solely game creation.
He found the immediate feedback loop in programming highly engaging, fueling his learning.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

3D Maze Breakthrough

John Romero and id Software achieved a breakthrough by creating the first navigable 3D maze.
Their focus on speed, achieved through positive constraints, set them apart.

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An Icon's Journey Through Gaming Innovation

05:03 • 2min

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From Struggles to Coding Dreams

06:36 • 15min

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Pioneering Gaming Technology

21:35 • 20min

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The Evolution of Game Design: From Concept to Innovation

41:36 • 3min

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Innovating Game Design and the Power of Memory

44:59 • 14min

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From Doom to Quake: The Evolution of Game Development

58:33 • 27min

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New Releases and Nutritional Insights

01:25:19 • 7min

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The 4-Hour Body

An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing. The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.

Doom Guy

Life in First Person

John Romero

In 'Doom Guy: Life in First Person', John Romero shares his personal story, from a difficult childhood to his groundbreaking career in video games. The book offers insights into the creation of DOOM, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3-D, as well as his experiences at id Software and beyond. It provides a unique perspective on the evolution of the gaming industry and Romero's role in shaping it.

Brought to you by LinkedIn Jobs recruitment platform with 900M+ users, Helix Sleep premium mattresses, and AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement.

Computer and video game legend John Romero (@romero) has designed and published more than 130 games since his first sale at the age of 16. A teenage programming prodigy, his major achievements include co-inventing a series of revolutionary computer games—DOOM, Quake, Wolfenstein 3-D, and Commander Keen—that launched the industry’s most popular genre, the first-person shooter.

The memoir DOOM GUY: Life in First Person is his first book.

Please enjoy!

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[07:39] Childhood.

[11:30] Aggressor Squadron.

[14:55] John’s first exposure to computers and coding.

[21:34] Early innovations in 3D gaming.

[26:01] The id Software team.

[28:00] Side-scrolling games.

[30:41] Developing 13 games in one year. How?

[37:28] Designing with movable and removable parts in mind.

[42:45] Warning the world of its inevitable DOOM.

[53:04] Hyperthymesia.

[59:49] Working on two games at once.

[1:02:34] When John realized DOOM would be a hit.