John Carmack and John Romero Reflect on the Cost of Developing Quake

The 30th anniversary of Quake on June 22, 2026, brought more than just standard celebrations. It sparked a candid, reflective exchange between the original id Software team members regarding the high cost of the game's development and its lasting impact on the studio.

Sandy Petersen, a co-designer who joined id in 1993, ignited the conversation on X by stating bluntly that “Quake ruined id Software.” While he praised the game as an “amazing feat of art, programming, and design,” he argued that the extreme intensity of the project left the team burned out. Petersen highlighted that within two years of the game's completion, a significant portion of the talent—including John Romero, Shawn Green, Dave Taylor, Mike Abrash, and American McGee—departed the company.

“Id Software was never the same after,” Petersen wrote. He noted that while he and his colleagues went on to have successful careers elsewhere, the loss of that “dream team” was a major blow to the company.

Carmack’s Admission and Apology

John Carmack offered a rare, detailed look at his own management failures during that era. He admitted that the project was “overly ambitious technically” and that he had “pushed everyone too hard.” Carmack suggested that the studio could have achieved its goals by utilizing a more stable “Doom++” engine rather than forcing the team to pivot repeatedly.

Addressing the working conditions, Carmack noted that he failed to appreciate the need for “slack” in a maturing company. He also addressed the internal friction among designers, acknowledging that the studio should have paired artists with designers earlier to mitigate infighting. Ending his assessment, Carmack offered a direct, simple message to his former colleague: “Sorry, Sandy.”

Romero’s Perspective on the “Media Circus”

John Romero joined the discussion, echoing the sentiment that the team was “pushing ourselves past what was reasonable.” He defended the work of American McGee, who had been fired during the Quake development cycle, and noted that the pressure was exacerbated by the “media circus” surrounding the studio at the time.

Ultimately, the exchange ended on a conciliatory note. While Petersen lamented the loss of the original team, he affirmed that Quake remains an “iconic titan” worth the effort. Romero concluded that despite the chaos, the team did the best they could with the knowledge they had at the time. Petersen later expressed that he held no blame for Carmack, noting that the final product was a triumph of which they could all be proud.