Romero Games
Romero Games is an independent video game studio based in Galway, Ireland.
It was founded by John Romero and Brenda Romero in 2015, combining decades of design experience from the classic shooter and RPG eras.
The studio is known for its focus on creative independence, narrative depth, and its blend of old-school design with modern tools.
Founding
After years of working separately in the industry, John and Brenda Romero decided to create a studio that reflected their shared values.
Romero Games began with the idea of building games free from corporate limitations while still maintaining high technical and artistic standards.
The couple settled in Galway, Ireland, where they built a small, diverse team of developers with backgrounds in both AAA and indie production.
Early Projects
The first projects at Romero Games were smaller experiments, including prototypes for shooters and tactical games.
The team developed mobile titles and assisted on various collaborations before moving toward larger-scale releases.
These early years helped define the studio’s core design philosophy: strong systems, clear mechanics, and a human touch.
Empire of Sin
In 2020, Romero Games released Empire of Sin, a strategy and management game set in 1920s Chicago.
Players take on the role of an aspiring crime boss, building an empire through diplomacy, combat, and business.
Brenda Romero served as the game’s creative director, focusing on emergent gameplay and character interactions.
The project was ambitious and drew attention for blending historical setting with tactical depth, showing the studio’s range beyond the shooters typically associated with John Romero.
Current Projects
As of the mid-2020s, Romero Games is working on a new first-person shooter built using Unreal Engine 5.
The project is being described as a return to form for John Romero, combining modern graphics with the speed and attitude of classic shooters like DOOM and Quake.
Few details have been made public, but development updates confirm that it will feature an entirely new IP, not a continuation of previous franchises.
Studio Philosophy
Romero Games operates as a creative family studio.
Its philosophy centers on trust, collaboration, and respect between disciplines.
Both founders encourage transparency and mentorship, often inviting interns and students to learn about real production cycles.
The team also supports remote collaboration, reflecting modern development values while staying grounded in the craftsmanship of early game studios.
Legacy
Although still relatively young, Romero Games carries the legacy of two major figures in game history.
It represents the merging of classic 1990s shooter innovation and deep strategic storytelling.
Fans view it as both a tribute to and an evolution of the spirit that once drove id Software and Ion Storm.