John Romero on Modern FPS Games
By Tuin
Oct 27, 2025
At the San Diego Comic-Con in Málaga, John Romero shared his thoughts on the evolution of first-person shooters, the current state of Romero Games, and why Doom continues to inspire both fans and developers worldwide.
Romero appeared alongside Brendan Greene, the creator of PUBG, and Minh Le, co-creator of Counter-Strike, in a panel that dove deep into the DNA of modern shooters. He described the discussion as fun and refreshing, especially with the audience bringing sharp questions about how the genre has evolved. According to Romero, what makes these talks great is the shared passion for FPS design and the endless curiosity of fans who grew up playing the games that defined the genre.
When asked about Battle Royale and the future of PvP, Romero made it clear he has no plans to chase that trend. He noted that the competitive shooter scene is already packed, and he would rather focus on making something different. He admitted enjoying tactical shooters like Rainbow Six Siege but teased that his own upcoming project will stand apart in tone and gameplay.
One topic that caught Romero’s attention was procedural generation and how it keeps games alive. He explained that replayability is about giving players enough mastery to feel skilled but never total control. Once players can predict everything, they get bored. The secret, he said, is maintaining just enough mystery so the game remains fresh every time they return.
Romero also touched on his studio’s upcoming title. While he couldn’t reveal much, he confirmed that Romero Games still owns the IP, the code, and every asset related to their current project. The team was midway through development before recent changes, and several companies remain interested in collaborating. Even if partnerships shift, Romero emphasized that years of work and tens of millions in development ensure they have a solid foundation for whatever comes next.
Despite all that, the energy around Doom still burns bright. Romero mentioned how new generations are discovering the series, often introduced by their parents who played the originals. With modern remasters available on every major platform, it’s easier than ever to revisit the roots of the genre. Fans continue to celebrate Doom’s modding legacy, with hundreds of thousands of community-made levels keeping the game alive.
As always, Romero remains humble and grateful to the fans. Seeing people dressed as Doom Slayers, helmets and all, reminds him of how far his creations have reached. From 90s corridors to modern conventions, the spirit of Doom—and the FPS genre it helped define—shows no sign of slowing down.
Romero appeared alongside Brendan Greene, the creator of PUBG, and Minh Le, co-creator of Counter-Strike, in a panel that dove deep into the DNA of modern shooters. He described the discussion as fun and refreshing, especially with the audience bringing sharp questions about how the genre has evolved. According to Romero, what makes these talks great is the shared passion for FPS design and the endless curiosity of fans who grew up playing the games that defined the genre.
When asked about Battle Royale and the future of PvP, Romero made it clear he has no plans to chase that trend. He noted that the competitive shooter scene is already packed, and he would rather focus on making something different. He admitted enjoying tactical shooters like Rainbow Six Siege but teased that his own upcoming project will stand apart in tone and gameplay.
One topic that caught Romero’s attention was procedural generation and how it keeps games alive. He explained that replayability is about giving players enough mastery to feel skilled but never total control. Once players can predict everything, they get bored. The secret, he said, is maintaining just enough mystery so the game remains fresh every time they return.
Romero also touched on his studio’s upcoming title. While he couldn’t reveal much, he confirmed that Romero Games still owns the IP, the code, and every asset related to their current project. The team was midway through development before recent changes, and several companies remain interested in collaborating. Even if partnerships shift, Romero emphasized that years of work and tens of millions in development ensure they have a solid foundation for whatever comes next.
Despite all that, the energy around Doom still burns bright. Romero mentioned how new generations are discovering the series, often introduced by their parents who played the originals. With modern remasters available on every major platform, it’s easier than ever to revisit the roots of the genre. Fans continue to celebrate Doom’s modding legacy, with hundreds of thousands of community-made levels keeping the game alive.
As always, Romero remains humble and grateful to the fans. Seeing people dressed as Doom Slayers, helmets and all, reminds him of how far his creations have reached. From 90s corridors to modern conventions, the spirit of Doom—and the FPS genre it helped define—shows no sign of slowing down.