Doom co-creator and id Software co-founder John Romero is marking the iconic first-person shooter’s 32nd anniversary by sharing some personal insights about the game’s origins, its evolution over the years, and a heartfelt message to the avid fans who’ve kept its spirit alive.
“It’s DOOM’s 32nd birthday today!” Romero tweeted. “It amazes me how far this rebellion of a game has traveled. We wanted to build the greatest game we could imagine playing, and generations of players have kept it alive. It’s one of the great privileges of my life.”
At this point, it might be a challenge to share something new about Doom that hasn’t been discussed to death, but it’s undeniable that the game has earned its title as the “father” of the FPS genre. Its influence is immeasurable, and any opportunity for Romero to reminisce about its impact is always welcome.
“Thank you to every fan who’s ripped, torn, explored every corner, broken every boundary, modded, speedran, theorycrafted, shared stories, and kept the fires of hell burning. DOOM became a phenomenon because you made it one. I am grateful for every single one of you.”
John Romero
In his message, Romero expressed his deep gratitude for the community: “DOOM became a phenomenon because you made it one.” His appreciation for fans resonated, emphasizing how integral they’ve been in keeping the legacy of the game alive.
In a more recent update, Romero also shared that Romero Games, the studio behind his previously canceled FPS, has come out of that setback and is working on a new project that he claims “will be new to people, the way that going through Elden Ring was a really new experience.” Bold statements from a legend, but who better to make them than Romero himself?
As fans celebrate this milestone, it’s clear that Doom’s legacy is far from dormant. Whether you’re a long-time player or just diving in, there’s never been a better time to appreciate the game that forever changed the landscape of gaming.