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John carmack's insights on modern doom games and design

John Carmack's Tech Focus Sparks Debate on Modern Doom | Fans Curious About His Take

By

Emily Thompson

Jun 19, 2025, 03:47 PM

Edited By

Marco Silva

3 minutes of duration

John Carmack sharing his thoughts on Doom Eternal and The Doom Awakening, with game visuals in the background
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In the ongoing discourse around modern Doom, particularly Doom Eternal and TDA, curiosity surrounds John Carmack's views on these titles. As a prominent tech figure in gaming, many fans wonder if Carmack appreciates the recent direction taken by id Software.

Key Themes from the Buzzing Forum

Fans on various forums express mixed sentiments about Carmackโ€™s probable insights:

  1. A Shift Toward Tech over Story

Several comments reflect a perception that Carmack may not favor the story-focused approach in recent titles. One commenter quipped, "He certainly wouldnโ€™t like the story focus, but dem grafix doe." Many seem to believe that his expertise lies in engineering rather than narrative design.

  1. Graphics Engine Expectations

Discussing the technical aspects, players anticipate that Carmack would critique how well the current games utilize graphics technology, especially with TDA requiring ray tracing. "Youโ€™d get nothing about the actual game heโ€™d just keep coming back to lamenting that they werenโ€™t doing enough tech-wise," speculated another fan.

  1. Gameplay Design Perspectives

Some users doubt that Carmack would comment on gameplay mechanics at all. Past statements suggest he saw his role more as an innovator of tech rather than a game designer: "Once Quake laid the groundwork, others took care of gameplay."

"I think he would enjoy the clever shortcuts to keep Doom at super high framerates and fidelity"

Fans also noted Carmack's legacy, emphasizing that he might have mixed feelings about modern gaming as it requires massive teamwork to pull off AAA games.

Interestingly, many argue that he respects how id Software continues to push boundaries in gaming, even in his absence.

Sentiment Analysis

The overall sentiment is mixed. Enthusiasm for graphics contrasts with skepticism regarding Carmack's interest in gameplay. Some fans express admiration while others seem disappointed at the focus shift.

Significant Takeaways:

  • ๐Ÿ’พ "Heโ€™s basically always been the tech guy" - User comment on Carmack's focus.

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Many fans believe Carmack would criticize the current narrative direction in Doom.

  • ๐ŸŒŸ Enthusiasts highlight appreciation for id Software's ongoing innovations despite Carmack's departure.

As Carmack navigated the gaming landscape, his primary concern appeared to be technological advancements, posing the question: how does modern gameplay fit into a world dominated by stunning graphics?

Future Trends in Doom and Gaming Tech

Looking ahead, experts estimate there's a strong chance that Carmack's role in past innovations will continue to influence modern Doom titles. With the gaming community divided over graphics versus narrative, it's likely that id Software will aim to balance tech advancements while catering to storytelling demands. Fans might expect a noticeable shift in upcoming titles, focusing more on cohesive integration of graphical capabilities and engaging narratives. Additionally, as Carmack's legacy looms large, many foresee a push for more streamlined game development processes, prioritizing efficiency and cooperation among teams to overcome the challenges of AAA game production. This approach could enhance gameplay without sacrificing the eye-popping graphics that todayโ€™s players crave.

Historical Echoes from the World of Film

Interestingly, this situation mimics the transformation in the film industry during the late 1990s with the advent of CGI technology. Directors like James Cameron embraced new visual effects while storytelling took a backseat, leading to a series of stunning yet narratively weak blockbusters. Just as audiences eventually clamored for depth beyond special effects, the gaming community might soon echo this sentiment as graphics-driven gameplay becomes the norm. The rise and fall of visual spectacle in entertainment serves as a reminder that without a compelling story, even the flashiest visuals can fade into obscurity.