Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture by David Kushner

Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture by David Kushner is a thrilling and inspiring account of two phenomenal game designers and their rise from improbable beginnings to a worldwide gaming empire. Kushner recounts John Carmack and John Romero's journey from complete obscurity to superstardom in the gaming world, as well as their rivalry that changed the landscape of gaming for generations to come.

John Carmack and John Romero's childhood dreams of creating videogames became their reality, as they worked together to create the first-person shooter – a genre that would usher in an entirely new era of gaming. Carmack, the math prodigy who prefigured the advances in gaming technology, and Romero, the conquering hero who rose to fame with boundary-pushing games, crystallized the strengths of their friendship and collaboration as they developed classic games such as Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, and Quake.

Kushner explores the creative process of developing a revolutionary game, such as the struggles and contributions of each team member and the trials and tribulations of running a tight-knit game development studio. He takes a close look at the bond between Carmack and Romero and how it enabled them to become business partners, develop innovative technology, create visually stunning graphics, and even help define an entire generation’s gaming experiences. Masters of Doom is an inside look at how two fiercely determined game creators took gaming to an entirely new level.

As their successes mounted, so did their egos, and the feuding between Carmack and Romero took a toll on their studio and their friendship. Ultimately, the two men went their separate ways and created rival games in a heated rivalry that would char the gaming industry forever. Kushner shows how this rivalry ultimately resulted in huge advancements in gaming technology and pushed gamers to levels of excitement and enthusiasm that had never before been seen.

Masters of Doom not only chronicles Carmack and Romero's incredible rise and eventual clash, but it also tells the story of what has been called the most important game of the last century – Doom. From this amazing backdrop of creativity and ambition, Kushner closely examines these two influential pioneers and what they have done to shape the future of gaming.

Kushner’s book is an inspiring story of two gamers who defied the odds to create one of the most successful game franchises in history. While a seemingly simple entertainment concept changed the entire landscape of gaming, it also changed Pop culture and influenced future generations of game developers. By following the riveting story of Carmack and Romero’s tumultuous journey, Masters of Doom is a captivating and inspiring look at how two incredibly determined men made a name for themselves in the gaming industry and fundamentally changed the way we play today.