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Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture Paperback – May 11, 2004

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4.8 out of 5 stars 271 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks; Reprint edition (May 11, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0812972155
  • ISBN-13: 978-0812972153
  • Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (271 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsAbsolutely stunning
By Brian Taylor on December 28, 2003
Format: Hardcover
I cannot give this book any higher praise than I will now attempt to bestow.
This is a fascinating account of perhaps the most intriguing story in the world of computer gaming: the story of id Software's rise to prominence through the development of Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and Quake, as well as the highly publicized split between the two men most responsible for these blockbusters, the two Johns: John Carmack and John Romero.
The book is not only an entertaining blow-by-blow account of the events that transpired in this story, but is also a cunningly crafted and penetrating look inside the psyche and personality of two fascinating human beings, and the wild initial success of colloboration followed by the bitter conflict bred by the polar forces that drove them. As such, its appeal transcends that of the video gaming community; it is a marvelous case study in sociology as well as a chronicle of the creation of computer games.
Masters of Doom is ultimately a "rise and fall" tale, in a sense. id Software, John Carmack, and John Romero will likely never reach the heights they achieved in the glory days following the release of Doom, but it is arguable that no single company or individual developer will ever do so again either.
The book is uncompromising in its account of the conflicts, and assesses blame only through the eyes of the people involved, without sounding preachy. Kushner assumes a neutral role and presents a remarkably balanced portrayal of the events, siding with neither Romero nor Carmack on the critical issues, leaving the reader with the accurate perception that both were right in their own way.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Classic Business Parable
By Rob Hardy HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWER on June 3, 2003
Format: Hardcover
Americans spend more money on electronic games than they do on movie tickets. Much of the enthusiasm for the games comes from "Doom" which was released ten years ago. Every gamer knows about Doom, and every parent who had not already worried about it was able to worry about it after it was blamed for inspiring the Columbine murderers. Doom was the brainchild of two gamers and computer geeks who are among the army of dweebs changing the way the world does things electronically. Its huge success merits study and understanding, and in _Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture_ (Random House) by David Kushner, it gets just the sort of exciting and weird history that ought to bring enchantment to gamers, envy to investors, and enjoyment to anyone interested in our modern ways of amusing ourselves.
Their many fans call them "The Two Johns," John Carmack and John Romero. They were both products of broken homes, and of the years when video games were enjoyed in arcades only. Both of them were better at playing video games and writing programs than they were at making grades or making friends. They came up with real innovations, now taken for granted, like side scrolling for the PC or rooms with skewed walls. All were steps to make the games look better, of course, but the overall effect was to make them more involving, increasing the illusion that "You are not just playing the game, you're inhabiting it." They also increased the blood; monsters or bad guys that were killed did not simply vanish when brought into the sights and fired upon. These were not the only innovations; Doom, released in 1993, featured the "Deathmatch" in which players could play together or against each other.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsPizza, Diet Coke, Games, and All Night Programming!
By sporkdude on May 21, 2003
Format: Hardcover
In this book, David Kushner documents the lives of two influential game programmers, John Romero and John Carmack - the guys who created Doom and id Software. It chronicles the lives, the company, the gaming industry, and the impact of these two young computer geniuses. It's a quick, fluid read that is not only entertaining, but is awe inspiring as well.
This is a fascinating book on many fronts. It describes how two kids got into games from the early childhoods, describes their fascination with computers in general, and their dreams. It goes from a tale of two kids with ideas, to their technological innovations, to business start, to their monumental growth, and finally to their fallout. It sheds light not only independent game programming, but of the type of people who develop and play these first person shooters like Doom.
Not only is this a biography, or a game book, it's also sort of the "startup.com" of the gaming world. With a good mixture of business, gaming, with unique and individual characters, it indirectly describes the world of gaming companies and what it takes to make a good, and bad, company.
While a good book for all, it's a must for anyone who loves games or is into software development.
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5.0 out of 5 starsSuck it Down! Wonderful book for even non-fans
By Chris Peters on December 27, 2003
Format: Hardcover
What a gripping glimpse behind the curtain! Even if you don't like video games, you can't ignore the human drama in this story: two towering personalities who transcend their work; office politics for huge stakes; the birth of a multi-billion dollar industry; a blast of creative spirit so strong it still gets my heart going.
The story is perfectly readable for a "non-fan", and I'd bet a game-hating girlfriend or wife would enjoy this book and maybe even feel a connection. The game developers at "id" were like snotty kids who created a huge fad, only to discover they had talent and the fad wasn't going away. John Carmack was the brains and John Romero the heart, an incredible partnership of opposites that created (or at least cemented) an new form of entertainment, only to break up at the height of their success. Like the Beatles, fans have argued who had the greatest impact, but in truth the magic was lost and never really regained.
By now their story has been ground into the dirt by the gaming press. At the time, the events seemed very one-dimensional with clear losers (first Carmack, then Romero), but author Kushner points out enough obvious contributions that I was reminded of the greatness of the partnership, not their egos. Hardcore fans will find all kinds of "So THAT's what happened" moments, lots of cameos and observations from famous id employees, and the all important history of the "Two Johns" after their break-up. The story of Ion Storm is included but too brief to feel authentic (ion deserves it's own book) and Kushner follows the conflicts within id after Romero left.
I don't have enough good things to say. This book isn't perfect, but the subject is so fascinating I couldn't put it down. Buy it, now.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFor all of you gamers out there

You need to read this book, the knowledge of how a whole genre come to life is well worth the time!

Published 9 days ago by Claes Höglund
5.0 out of 5 starsCouldn't put it down - sort of like Doom!

Great read, especially if you remember the days when Doom ruled the world. Told in a very entertaining manner while still sticking true to the history of this time in gaming and... Read more

Published 19 days ago by Sean Combs
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat easy to read insight into the history of gaming

A great read. I had no idea so many concepts and ideals that I use and take for granted today were pioneered, and brought mainstream, by John Romero and John Carmack. Great book! Read more

Published 1 month ago by James Turner
5.0 out of 5 starsOnly Nineties Kids Should Read This Book (okay, everyone else too)

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Maybe it's because these are the games I grew up with. This is the story of how John Romero and John Carmack got together and defined a decade of PC... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Eric Juneau
5.0 out of 5 starsLoved this book

Loved this book. My high school years happened during Doom and the surrounding knock off games (which I loved as well, Duke Nukem 3D, Dark Forces, etc. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Jean-Denis Haas
5.0 out of 5 starsMasters of Doom

Arrived in great condition.

Published 1 month ago by Mary Anne Crafton
5.0 out of 5 starsI love this book

I love this book, I wish there were a whole series like it. It made me want to bust out an old school computer and relive the "old days". Read more

Published 2 months ago by Matt Brown
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

a great book for video gamers

Published 2 months ago by Leo.C
5.0 out of 5 starsRip and Tear that $10

Well worth the $10 I spent on this book. I spent an entire weekend reading it, and had firsthand insight to what the guys behind Doom and Commander Keen back in their early days. Read more

Published 2 months ago by JanewayCritic
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Good book to read

Published 3 months ago by Jian c Jiang

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