The id Software Reunion: Why the QuakeCon Founders' Meetup Matters More Than You Think - gaming article
Did you see the photos from this year’s QuakeCon? If you spent your weekend doom-scrolling through industry drama and bad news, you might have missed the most wholesome moment of the year: the original id Software squad finally getting back together. We’re talking about the absolute titans who basically invented the FPS genre, reunited in the same room for the first time since 1994. Honestly, seeing John Carmack, Adrian Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero hanging out like no time had passed at all was the ultimate vibe check we all needed.
Why This Reunion Actually Matters
In an industry that feels like it’s constantly on fire, it’s easy to get caught up in the cynicism. We’ve seen enough studio closures and messy layoffs to last a lifetime, and frankly, I was worried this event would be plagued by “old man” drama. You’ve heard the stories: the lawsuits, the internal power struggles, the messy breakups that defined the late 90s and early 2000s. I went into this expecting some awkward, PR-managed handshakes, but the reality was the exact opposite.
What we got instead was a genuine, heartfelt reunion that reminded us why we started playing these games in the first place. These guys didn’t just build an engine; they built the foundation of our entire hobby. Seeing them look at old DOOM design notes together wasn’t just nostalgia bait—it was a reminder that even when things get heated during a development cycle, the love for the craft and the shared history usually ends up being the BiS memory.
The id Software Legacy: A Quick Refresher
If you’re a newer player, you might look at these names and just see “industry legends,” but these guys were the original speedrunners of game development. They weren’t just coding; they were defining what an FPS was allowed to be. Without this core group, your favorite modern shooters—from Call of Duty to Valorant—would look completely different. They practically invented the “run and gun” meta.
It’s wild to realize that they hadn’t been in the same room for over 30 years. When Adrian Carmack said this was one of the best times of his life, you could tell it wasn’t just PR fluff. It was a genuine reaction from someone who helped change the course of gaming history. If you’re a fan of the genre, you owe it to yourself to go check out the clips of them geeking out over those original DOOM design documents—it’s pure gold.
3 Lessons We Can Learn From This Reunion
There’s actually a lot to unpack here if you look past the photos. Here are three takeaways I’ve been thinking about since the event wrapped:
- Don’t let the grind kill the connection: Even after decades of “work-related” friction, these guys found common ground. Don’t let a bad patch or a frustrating rank-up session ruin your friendships.
- Respect the OGs: Seeing “id mom” Donna Jackson there was the cherry on top. Never forget the people behind the scenes who keep the studio lights on while the developers are busy cooking up the next big hit.
- History is worth preserving: Watching them look at those old notes proves that you should always value your own journey—your old replays, your first save files, and your earliest gaming memories are the archives of your life.
The “id Mom” Moment That Stole the Show
You can talk about the tech, the engines, and the sales figures, but the real MVP of the weekend was Donna Jackson. For those who don’t know, she’s the legendary “id mom” who has been with the studio since 1994. She’s still credited on their upcoming title, Doom: The Dark Ages, which is just insane loyalty.
Seeing the founders light up when she walked into the room was the most human moment of the entire con. It’s easy to forget that these studios are just groups of people working together in the trenches. When you see someone like American McGee—who definitely had a rocky exit back in the day—speaking so warmly about how Carmack and Romero changed his life, it really puts the “toxic” parts of our industry into perspective. Sometimes, it’s just nice to see people appreciate the path they walked together.
Why We Need More Wholesome Moments in Gaming
Let’s be real: we spend so much time complaining about nerfs, buffs, and greedy monetization models that we forget to celebrate the actual culture. This QuakeCon reunion was a reminder that gaming is fundamentally about people connecting. Whether it’s a LAN party with your best friends or a massive industry event, it’s the community that keeps the hobby alive.
I’m putting this on your radar because it’s rare to get a “good news” story in this space. If you’re feeling burnt out on the current state of gaming, take a break and go watch the footage of the founders laughing over their old work. It’s the kind of wholesome content that acts as a total reset button for your brain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is id Software still working on new games?
Yes! They are currently working on Doom: The Dark Ages, which is looking absolutely brutal in the best way possible. Expect that signature high-octane gameplay they’re famous for.
Was this the first time all four founders were together?
They haven’t all been in the same room together since 1994. That’s a 30-year gap! It’s honestly a miracle they managed to pull this off.
Are John Carmack and John Romero on good terms?
Despite years of rumors about a massive feud, they seem to be perfectly fine. Both have been very vocal on social media about how much they enjoyed catching up, so you can officially put that “beef” to rest.
Final Thoughts
Look, I know we all have our hot takes on how modern studios are run, and the industry has definitely changed since the 90s. But seeing the founding fathers of the FPS genre hanging out and genuinely enjoying each other’s company gives me a lot of hope. It’s a reminder that no matter how much the industry pivots, the core of what we love—the creativity, the innovation, and the friendships formed in the server—stays the same.
If you’re feeling the weight of all the bad news lately, use this as your sign to just enjoy a classic game this weekend. Go fire up DOOM or Quake, play a few rounds, and remember that we’re all part of a history that’s still being written. Drop a comment below and tell me—what’s the one classic game you think every modern gamer needs to play at least once?
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