The creators of Doom come together for a moving talk about 30 years of the legendary FPS – Games

The nostalgic discussion, moderated by director David Craddock, provided an interesting insight into the evolution of Doom, as well as a poignant celebration of the game’s cultural impact.

Both creators surprised with their opinions and self-criticism about the 90s masterpiece. Carmack complained about the omission of some graphical techniques, while praising the increased realism of Doom’s successor, Quake. Meanwhile, Romero argued that Doom achieved a perfect balance of complexity compared to its predecessor Wolfenstein and follow-up Quake, though it was not without creative challenges in mapping.

The two also bonded over a timeless love of sturdy box art and the natural “vibes” that defined the packaging of classic computer games. They also expressed their deep gratitude to the vibrant Doom fan community for maintaining their passion for the title for decades.

Among the most vivid moments of the interview was the fact that Romero watched live online multiplayer just before the game’s release, which reinforced the belief that Doom would become a successful, genre-defining game. Additionally, Carmack admitted that assuming Doom’s quality alone would increase sales, making memorable box art less important in hindsight.

As the discussion concluded, both creators emphasized their great pride in Doom’s legacy as one of the most influential and enduring gaming series. They gave their heartfelt thanks to over 30 years of loyal fans who have maintained Doom as an enduring cultural standard since its inception.