icemann on 19/12/2018 at 13:02
And he was a big part of the original incarnation of Quake. That's certainly something since Doom.
Plus he was a big part of Dangerous Dave (sole creator), Commander Keen, Wolf3D then Doom 1 & 2.
[edit]
Checked the Retro Gamer magazine website and they only have the (
https://www.retrogamer.net/profiles/developer/john-romero/) first half of the interview up on their website. Need to get issue 75 for the rest. Grr. The half included covers everything up to id software.
skacky on 19/12/2018 at 15:10
Some people here seem to believe Romero is someone who committed a huge crime and they absolutely need to drag his name in the mud at every opportunity. Yeah, Daikatana sucked hard. Yeah, he was pretty obnoxious with his rock star attitude. Yeah, Blackroom's KS failed hard.
But maybe, just maybe he's making these maps because he genuinely loves making maps for Doom? He made two maps a couple of years ago that were a ton of fun, and Sigil looks pretty damn kickass overall. No matter how you see it, Romero is a master level designer and it's always a treat to see new levels from him. I mean, even his Quake maps, made for a game he disliked, are amazing. Doubting his talent when it comes to making levels is plain stupid.
Also, if you want someone who genuinely rides on his success at id, look no further than Tim "I invented deathmatch" Willits, who is a far worse figure than Romero will ever be.
heywood on 19/12/2018 at 16:21
Despite his dubious claim of coming up with the idea for multiplayer-only maps, Willits has accomplished significantly more at id than Romero. I'm not going to claim he's a legendary game designer or anything, but if you compare the games Willits has worked on and his role in them vs. the same for Romero, Willits has the more impressive resume.
Pyrian on 19/12/2018 at 16:47
Quote Posted by skacky
Some people here seem to believe Romero is someone who committed a huge crime...
Quote Posted by icemann
Guys a legend.
I think the problem here is that some people believe he's a legend - and should be above criticism.
froghawk on 19/12/2018 at 18:02
I'd be interested in seeing Romero make some levels for nu doom. It would be cool to see how those come out.
Sulphur on 19/12/2018 at 18:13
I actually wouldn't mind seeing Romero, Hall, and Richard 'Levelord' Gray (the feller in charge of some of the better DN3D levels amongst other things, if you don't know/remember) get together and do something like that for old time's sake either.
Ah, I didn't see that. Thanks for the link!
icemann on 19/12/2018 at 18:28
Quote Posted by Pyrian
I think the problem here is that some people believe he's a legend - and should be above criticism.
Oh you can say all the criticism you like. I was more meaning that regardless it doesn't change my overall opinion of him based on how many good games vs bad ones he's been a part of. Also I judge him now based off what he's produced level design wise nowadays, which from what I witnessed in the Doom levels he released a few years ago were all excellent.
Maybe he's not as good when it comes to coming up with new games entirely, though I can't speak on that as to my knowledge only Dangerous Dave and the original version of Quake were his designs. But when it comes to level design skills he's right up there.
As for the Rock Star stuff. Honestly who wouldn't if you were in his shoes. I'm kinda surprised that more game designers haven't. Though that may partly be down to the the type of person most people in anything IT were like for the longest time, up to the 90s (nerdy sorts, and not meaning that as a negative). Where as Romero went more the long hair, rock metal type thing. If you look at the music industry, it's quite the norm for those in success to go crazy on booze, drugs, alcohol and hookers, and to make the most of their success while it's there. Why isn't it ok for games industry people to do that?
Games industry wise, it was quite the norm in the 80s when things were more solo game makers aplenty, for those who made a successful game to go crazy buying expensive cars, drugs etc etc.
To use a personal example, Bipolar which I released on Steam back in 2016 gained me massive popularity with the university I had studied at (largely as the game had been developed in the final year of the course, and was technically a uni assignment). It may have sold quite low worldwide, but I used that for every bit it would get me with the university. That got me a job there which helps support my wife and I, and has enabled me to finally have a job that really interests me, since it has that games dev angle to it. Is it wrong to use the success of a game you've helped develop to better your own life? I think not.
Sulphur on 19/12/2018 at 18:30
Quote Posted by icemann
metal rock
Inline Image:
https://i.imgur.com/87eGOGD.jpgSorry icemann, ninjaing it ain't gonna change QUOTES FOR TROOF
icemann on 19/12/2018 at 18:32
My bad :p.
Judith on 19/12/2018 at 19:07
Quote:
But when it comes to level design skills he's right up there.
For an old Doom game, not a modern title. There's a huge gap here.
