id Software founders discuss Doom's history and legacy

At QuakeCon, id Software co-founder John Romero revealed that during the era of the shareware business model, the studio intentionally collaborated with Taiwanese pirates to distribute Doom. Rather than fighting piracy, the studio provided the pirates with inexpensive, empty Doom packaging so they could sell the shareware version as an official product.

Romero noted that the strategy was designed to expand the game's reach and build a fan base in markets where the studio previously had little presence. The goal was to encourage players to try the shareware version and subsequently purchase the full version or sequels. The studio also intentionally avoided heavy anti-piracy measures, prioritizing the ability to fund future game development over preventing all copying.

Additionally, co-founder John Carmack recently revisited the game via an Evercade port, remarking on X that despite being slightly rusty with level navigation, it remains "still a great game after all these years!"