"DOOM" Director "HUGO MARTIN" on Childhood, Design Philosophy, And Identity of Doom Slayer

In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, host I down with Hugo Martin, the acclaimed Game Director behind*DOOM (2016), DOOM Eternal, and DOOM: The Dark Ages. Together, we explore the creative evolution of the modern DOOM trilogy, the philosophy behind making something truly “badass,” and the design decisions that shaped one of the most influential first-person shooter franchises in history.Hugo shares stories from his childhood, his early journey into game development, and the breakthrough moments that brought him to id Software. He explains how he tests ideas, builds emotional impact through gameplay, reinvents DOOM’s identity with each entry, and pushes combat design into bold new territory. They also discuss the legacy of DOOM as it reaches its 32-year milestone, the challenges of carrying a cultural icon forward, and the creative risks behind The Dark Ages.The conversation ends with the “Penny for Your Thoughts” segment, where Hugo answers personal and imaginative questions about creativity, habits, favorite films, top games, dream directors for a DOOM movie, and more.Bonfire Conversations is available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Subscribe for more in-depth conversations with the most influential voices in entertainment, games, and pop culture.Chapters:00:00 Intro & The "Badass" Philosophy02:04 Childhood & 80s Pop Culture04:51 The Birth of Gaming: Atari to Nintendo06:44 The Journey to Game Development07:05 Early Art Training & Illustration09:02 Pratt Institute & Concept Art10:44 Art Center Degree Decision12:42 Freelancing (Wizards of the Coast, MTV)14:38 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome16:44 First Big Break: Naughty Dog18:43 From Pacific Rim to ID Software19:01 The Philosophy of "Luck"19:47 The Creative Process: Research & The Teapot Story28:15 How to Design "Badass"29:11 Inspiration for the Doom Slayer37:10 The One Rule: Make Them Feel Something40:53 The Theme of Doom: The Dark Ages41:58 The Brilliant Idea Hugo Abandoned47:02 Reading vs. Audiobooks48:20 Dream Director for a DOOM Movie59:39 Conclusion#hugomartin #doom #gamedevelopment