NKD wrote on Jul 4, 2025, 03:51:

WannaLogAlready wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 19:19:
Romero is a diddler

That's... quite the accusation.

When Wannalog hates someone or something, he REALLY hates them/it. 😁

Prez wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 15:35:
- the "making him their bitch" comment was funny even if predictable.

It's always good for a chuckle. Even Romero still laughs at it.

WannaLogAlready wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 19:19:
Romero is a diddler

That's... quite the accusation.

Romero is a diddler, living decades off past (well deserved at the time) fame, achieving little to nothing time and again.

When he still had money and power he lazied about, and single-handedly sunk Eidos Interactive, and destroyed the possibility of further works by talented Warren Spector and Tom Hall (excellent Anachronox) in Ion Storm with its closure.

Bitch him.

I remember being so hyped after Romero started his other projects after Doom. I was looking forward to his next level of game design. I also loved his Rock star status and thought that gaming was heading into a whole other direction of excitement and coolness.. but then something happened. His post Doom games were just... mediocre. Whatever he did game wise wasn't interesting or imaginative. In particular I really tried to like Daikatana. I tried restarting that game so many times over the years but it just felt like a chore to play. It was a few years after that that I knew the hype about Romero had gone way to far and he had encouraged it way to much. The truth was he was more style over substance. I have no doubt he put in his best efforts and did his best but the problem was he was never really THAT guy. His creative talents were limited and he was living off his Doom reputation for far far to long.

This comment was edited on Jul 3, 2025, 18:21.

Jivaro wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 12:22:
... particularly if you feel the work is solid...

What Mr. Romero might "feel" is "solid" and the general consensus about his solo efforts is two different universes .

I agree that the guy is a has-been and the project most likely got canned for good reasons. Not everything is worth finishing and releasing just because the name of a dude is associated with it who probably got too much credit in the first place some 30 years ago.

It's obvious that id Romero and solo Romero are somehow not the same person and the reason is most likely that his individual lack of talent was obscured by the other exceptional talent at id back in the day (or... let's face it... the simpleton gameplay of DOOM literally helped make things easy for him). Muh take is: The team at id elevated his name to a pedestal that he individually prolly never deserved.

D-Rock wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 14:36:

Tipsy McStagger wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 11:05:
What has the guy done in 20 years? I feel like this isn't much of a loss.. he was a visionary 35 years ago but seems to be outdated in the last 20 years.

Area 51, Ravenwood Fair, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Commander, Pettington Park, Dangerous Dave in the Deserted Pirate's Hideout, Grom Skate, Warpcop III, July 4, 1976, Gunman Taco Truck, SIGIL, Empire of Sin, SIGIL II.

He's been at various levels of involvement in the list above but the dude stays busy. Like anyone in entertainment, he's expected to have a mix of hits and misses.

The obligatory John Romero trash talk is getting old and he definitely deserves more credit than he usually gets. Check out his autobiography -- it's a great read and gives some excellent insight into who he really is. There's even a chapter that describes the gameplay for his crowdfunded game 'Blackroom' that was cancelled. The idea definitely sounded visionary (in a good way -- new gameplay concepts) but I think there were some issues with finding a publisher (or maybe another funding related issue?).

I don't think Romero was ever a visionary. Instead I think he was a master at level design. Kept in that role he would probably still excel. He was a total dick when he was young, but he was basically a kid who became a millionaire and gained rock star status overnight; at that age I can't say I would have been any different if it had happened to me. But let's be frank; he's earned himself a lifetime of trash talk. I doubt it bothers him in the least. I was interested to learn that he has been so busy, though I have only heard of Empire of Sin from that list. And c'mon, lighten up - the "making him their bitch" comment was funny even if predictable.

NKD wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 10:45:
Turns out it was Romero being made the bitch this time.

I lol'ed

D-Rock wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 14:36:

Tipsy McStagger wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 11:05:
What has the guy done in 20 years? I feel like this isn't much of a loss.. he was a visionary 35 years ago but seems to be outdated in the last 20 years.

Area 51, Ravenwood Fair, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Commander, Pettington Park, Dangerous Dave in the Deserted Pirate's Hideout, Grom Skate, Warpcop III, July 4, 1976, Gunman Taco Truck, SIGIL, Empire of Sin, SIGIL II.

The names of these games seems like it's "Muzak" version of actual games. They look like they should be familiar but they are not.

Tipsy McStagger wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 11:05:
What has the guy done in 20 years? I feel like this isn't much of a loss.. he was a visionary 35 years ago but seems to be outdated in the last 20 years.

Area 51, Ravenwood Fair, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Commander, Pettington Park, Dangerous Dave in the Deserted Pirate's Hideout, Grom Skate, Warpcop III, July 4, 1976, Gunman Taco Truck, SIGIL, Empire of Sin, SIGIL II.

He's been at various levels of involvement in the list above but the dude stays busy. Like anyone in entertainment, he's expected to have a mix of hits and misses.

The obligatory John Romero trash talk is getting old and he definitely deserves more credit than he usually gets. Check out his autobiography -- it's a great read and gives some excellent insight into who he really is. There's even a chapter that describes the gameplay for his crowdfunded game 'Blackroom' that was cancelled. The idea definitely sounded visionary (in a good way -- new gameplay concepts) but I think there were some issues with finding a publisher (or maybe another funding related issue?).

I feel bad for the employees. I also feel bad for the Romeros. Running a business is a lot of work, and to have it going along smoothly and then suddenly have the rug pulled out from under you sucks on so many levels. Firing people for most reasons is unpleasant, firing them because the money suddenly ran out... particularly if you feel the work is solid...is just heartbreaking.

NKD wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 10:45:
Turns out it was Romero being made the bitch this time.

I was trying to think about how to cleverly word something like this but couldn't quickly so I'm glad you covered it.

Tipsy McStagger wrote on Jul 3, 2025, 11:05:
What has the guy done in 20 years? I feel like this isn't much of a loss.. he was a visionary 35 years ago but seems to be outdated in the last 20 years.

Empire of Sin back in 2020 which had so much potential as a Gangsters meets XCOM game but failed hard on both fronts. They just released the second DLC a month or two ago because they contractually had to even though the game is probably a financial failure.

What has the guy done in 20 years? I feel like this isn't much of a loss.. he was a visionary 35 years ago but seems to be outdated in the last 20 years.

Turns out it was Romero being made the bitch this time.

More Microsoft fallout, but I can't say I blame them on this one. Romero Games needs to suck it down!