“To Hell With Pirates”: DOOM Co-Creator John Romero Calls Piracy One of Gaming’s Biggest Threats

Gaming legend John Romero, the co-creator of DOOM, Quake, and one of the pioneers of the first-person shooter genre, has delivered a blunt message about software piracy. Speaking during a recent interview, Romero argued that piracy remains one of the most damaging forces in the video game industry, claiming it directly hurts developers, reduces funding for future projects, and threatens the long-term health of game creation.

Romero didn't mince words, saying that people who pirate games are effectively taking resources away from the studios that create them. While acknowledging that piracy has existed since the earliest days of PC gaming, he believes modern developers face far greater financial risks due to soaring production costs. According to Romero, every legitimate sale helps studios pay employees, fund updates, and invest in new ideas, making player support more important than ever.

The veteran designer's comments come at a time when the games industry is dealing with rising development budgets, studio closures, and widespread layoffs. Romero argued that purchasing games through official channels is one of the most effective ways players can support the developers behind their favorite titles. He stressed that independent studios are particularly vulnerable, as they often rely on every sale to finance future projects and remain financially stable.

John Romero has spent more than four decades shaping the gaming industry, helping create landmark franchises such as Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, and Quake. His latest remarks reflect growing concerns shared by many veteran developers about the challenges facing modern game development. As production costs continue to climb and competition intensifies, Romero believes supporting creators through legitimate purchases remains essential to ensuring the industry can continue producing ambitious new games for years to come.