Mitzi
Mitzi
Mitzi was the pet cat of John Carmack during the early id Software years. She became a small but memorable part of the studio’s history and was later referenced in Masters of Doom as an example of Carmack’s intensely pragmatic personality.
Background
When John Carmack first left home to pursue programming full time, he owned very few possessions. According to Masters of Doom, he did not even have a mattress. The only thing he brought with him from home was his cat, Mitzi.
Mitzi had been a gift from his stepfamily and became a constant presence during the early development period that included Commander Keen and Wolfenstein 3D.
She frequently sat on Carmack’s monitor while he worked and was well known among his coworkers. At one point, she was even listed in the company directory as his “significant other.”
Personality and Behavior
Masters of Doom describes Mitzi as ill tempered and prone to urinating outside the litter box. For years, Carmack tolerated the behavior.
Despite her difficult temperament, she remained part of his life throughout the early id Software period and into the development of DOOM.
The Incident
The final turning point occurred when Mitzi urinated on a new leather couch that Carmack had purchased using money earned from the success of Wolfenstein 3D.
After years of tolerating the problem, Carmack decided to take her to an animal shelter.
When informing his colleagues, he reportedly stated:
"Mitzi was having a net negative impact on my life."
The decision shocked some members of the team, who had grown accustomed to Mitzi’s presence and even viewed her as a studio mascot of sorts.
Interpretation
The story is often cited as an example of Carmack’s utilitarian mindset. As described in Masters of Doom, he applied the same principle to programming and personal life alike: if something became a problem, it should be removed or replaced.
This anecdote has since become symbolic of Carmack’s analytical personality and his focus on efficiency, even in emotionally difficult situations.
Cultural Context
The Mitzi story is one of several anecdotes illustrating the intense, unconventional atmosphere at id Software during the early 1990s.
It reflects:
- The minimalistic lifestyle of the early developers
- The obsessive work culture surrounding DOOM
- Carmack’s logical and unsentimental decision making
Though a minor event in gaming history, the story remains one of the more discussed personal details from the Masters of Doom era.