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Former id Software Worker Gives Gloomy Doom 4 Report

By - Source: GlassDoor | B 34 comments

Will we ever see DOOM 4?

Glassdoor.com calls itself the "world's most transparent career community," a place where companies recruit talent and a place for employees to rate their company. One such review popped up on id Software's company profile, and it's really not pretty. Especially for those who are anxiously awaiting new DOOM 4 info.

This former employee claims that he/she worked for id Software for more than three years, and claims that there is a lack of professionalism. "Expect lots of inappropriate jokes, comments and a generally unprofessional work environment. Our HR director quit recently over the many internal issues," this unnamed person writes.

Later on in the review, the former employee begins to spill the juicy DOOM 4 details, reporting that the entire tech team has quit and moved over to Oculus VR. They exited the company in February in protest to the way management was treating the employees and contractors.

"When all of the teams merged together to create the "new" Doom team 2 years ago, there was around 140+ developers to make the game," the review reads. "Now, there is only around 50. The non-stop attrition has gotten so bad, that they had to contract outside the company for the multiplayer portion of the game, and we have contractors doing a bulk of our art work."

This person claims that around every four months, management will say that the current direction is wrong for DOOM 4, and will force the team to reboot most or all of the game. So even though the team has been bashing out DOOM 4 for about two years, they have nothing to show for it save for one or two "blockout levels and numerous prototypes."

"The last two years have been generally bad for this company, and has cost id Software much in the eyes of the industry," the review reads. "If you want to turn this around, you need to make a positive change. Encourage the bright, capable developers who actually produce, and stop playing politics."

id Software cofounder John Carmack officially resigned from the studio back in November 2013 and began working full time as the CTO for Oculus VR. Former art director Kenneth Scott of 343 Industries and id Software also joined Oculus VR this week.

While this review is all full of doom and gloom (pun intended, sorry), we have to take it with a grain of salt given this person doesn't reveal his/her true identity. But if it's a legit entry, then we get a good idea as to why we really haven't seen any DOOM 4 evidence since before the project was rebooted.

So far Bethesda and id Software have yet to make a formal statement. To read the full review, head here.

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  • 3 Hide
    ingtar33 , May 16, 2014 6:37 PM
    Terrible of me to say, but who really is waiting for DOOM 4? Its been over a decade since DOOM 3 and 2 decades since DOOM 2... There isn't anyone holding their breath for this release (cause they would have passed on a decade ago if they were... yeah, lame joke). While DOOM was a revolutionary game in a way, taking the ball from Wolfenstein and running with it; It really was more of a bridging title to the most important game in early history of that genre, Quake.

    I for one can wait for them to get it right. No need to rush it... it's been 10 years already... what's the harm in waiting another 5?
  • 5 Hide
    notherdude , May 16, 2014 6:52 PM
    Doom has lost it's aura long ago, Doom 3 and the many other mediocre ID titles since their glory days already did the damage and now this report. i have even less hope than I did before and that was about 2%.
  • 1 Hide
    Antimatter79 , May 16, 2014 6:57 PM
    After getting bored with Doom 3 half way through (around the area where I got the Soul Cube) I tried to finish it a few months ago. I didn't get much farther, got bored again and quit. It's just too long, too many samey corridors, so if that's what Doom 4 had in store, I won't care if it never comes out. I would rather see Rage 2. I didn't even like that game at first, but after about 4 hours in, I was loving it and I wished there was more, especially after the ending, so maybe they'll scrap doom altogether and make Rage 2 instead. At least I'll be satisfied.
  • Display all 34 comments.
  • 2 Hide
    Pinhedd , May 16, 2014 7:04 PM
    Quote:
    Terrible of me to say, but who really is waiting for DOOM 4? Its been over a decade since DOOM 3 and 2 decades since DOOM 2... There isn't anyone holding their breath for this release (cause they would have passed on a decade ago if they were... yeah, lame joke). While DOOM was a revolutionary game in a way, taking the ball from Wolfenstein and running with it; It really was more of a bridging title to the most important game in early history of that genre, Quake.

    I for one can wait for them to get it right. No need to rush it... it's been 10 years already... what's the harm in waiting another 5?


    I am.

    I still play the original Doom and Doom II about once every year or two just for fun. The no-holds-barred art style is still a little creepy and the level design is still enjoyable 20 years on. Doom 3 wasn't a perfect game but had a great dark and claustrophobic atmosphere that I really enjoyed.
  • 3 Hide
    ingtar33 , May 16, 2014 7:14 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Terrible of me to say, but who really is waiting for DOOM 4? Its been over a decade since DOOM 3 and 2 decades since DOOM 2... There isn't anyone holding their breath for this release (cause they would have passed on a decade ago if they were... yeah, lame joke). While DOOM was a revolutionary game in a way, taking the ball from Wolfenstein and running with it; It really was more of a bridging title to the most important game in early history of that genre, Quake.

    I for one can wait for them to get it right. No need to rush it... it's been 10 years already... what's the harm in waiting another 5?


    I am.

    I still play the original Doom and Doom II about once every year or two just for fun. The no-holds-barred art style is still a little creepy and the level design is still enjoyable 20 years on. Doom 3 wasn't a perfect game but had a great dark and claustrophobic atmosphere that I really enjoyed.


    I'm not saying DOOM is a bad series... frankly DOOM2 was freakin' great. hell DOOM1 was amazing too, just saying I can't imagine anyone is "holding their breath" for this one. With series like Crysis, Quake, MW, CoD, Halo ... and on and on, the FPS genre is filled with AAA+ titles from top to bottom... I'd rather see this series just be shelved till they can do it right, then have them rush it out half done.

    We waited 10 years for this game we can wait longer i think. Its not like there is nothing good to play in this genre.
  • 2 Hide
    Pinhedd , May 16, 2014 7:16 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Terrible of me to say, but who really is waiting for DOOM 4? Its been over a decade since DOOM 3 and 2 decades since DOOM 2... There isn't anyone holding their breath for this release (cause they would have passed on a decade ago if they were... yeah, lame joke). While DOOM was a revolutionary game in a way, taking the ball from Wolfenstein and running with it; It really was more of a bridging title to the most important game in early history of that genre, Quake.

    I for one can wait for them to get it right. No need to rush it... it's been 10 years already... what's the harm in waiting another 5?


    I am.

    I still play the original Doom and Doom II about once every year or two just for fun. The no-holds-barred art style is still a little creepy and the level design is still enjoyable 20 years on. Doom 3 wasn't a perfect game but had a great dark and claustrophobic atmosphere that I really enjoyed.


    I'm not saying DOOM is a bad series... frankly DOOM2 was freakin' great. hell DOOM1 was amazing too, just saying I can't imagine anyone is "holding their breath" for this one. With series like Crysis, Quake, MW, CoD, Halo ... and on and on, the FPS genre is filled with AAA+ titles from top to bottom... I'd rather see this series just be shelved till they can do it right, then have them rush it out half done.

    We waited 10 years for this game we can wait longer i think. Its not like there is nothing good to play in this genre.


    Oh I certainly agree with that. I'm not holding my breath for it any time soon but I am waiting for it. If it takes them a couple more years to do it, then so be it.
  • 2 Hide
    southernshark , May 16, 2014 7:54 PM
    It's probably 1/2 true.
  • 0 Hide
    southernshark , May 16, 2014 7:56 PM
    Quote:
    Terrible of me to say, but who really is waiting for DOOM 4? Its been over a decade since DOOM 3 and 2 decades since DOOM 2... There isn't anyone holding their breath for this release (cause they would have passed on a decade ago if they were... yeah, lame joke). While DOOM was a revolutionary game in a way, taking the ball from Wolfenstein and running with it; It really was more of a bridging title to the most important game in early history of that genre, Quake.

    I for one can wait for them to get it right. No need to rush it... it's been 10 years already... what's the harm in waiting another 5?

    Quote:
    Terrible of me to say, but who really is waiting for DOOM 4? Its been over a decade since DOOM 3 and 2 decades since DOOM 2... There isn't anyone holding their breath for this release (cause they would have passed on a decade ago if they were... yeah, lame joke). While DOOM was a revolutionary game in a way, taking the ball from Wolfenstein and running with it; It really was more of a bridging title to the most important game in early history of that genre, Quake.

    I for one can wait for them to get it right. No need to rush it... it's been 10 years already... what's the harm in waiting another 5?


    Disagree. Doom 2 was the most important early FPS. HL was the most important late 90s FPS. Counterstrike wasn't just a mod, it was a way of life... :D 
  • 1 Hide
    bison88 , May 16, 2014 10:34 PM
    Wouldn't be a big deal if they didn't hype up Wolfenstein's The New Order sales by offering early access to a Duke Nukem Forever style Doom game that'll probably never get released. id Software lost a large following by selling out to Bethesda and have gone down ever since. Rage had potential and just became a colossal failure. Many of the FPS founding companies are dying painful deaths. First 3D Realms, id Software currently by a thousand cuts, Epic nearly sank itself trying to milk Gears of War had they not got out of that business, and Valve, well they do their own thing and making games isn't nearly as big of a priority for them.
  • 1 Hide
    beetlejuicegr , May 16, 2014 11:27 PM
    doom will always be a game we will play, be it 4 5 or 10. however if ID doesn't pull this right forget Doom 5 :p 
  • 1 Hide
    Fierce Guppy , May 17, 2014 12:45 AM
    hmmm... If Doom was developed to cater towards the expectations of today's gamers it would probably be unrecognizable apart from the name.
  • 0 Hide
    cozmium , May 17, 2014 1:19 AM
    Quote:
    Terrible of me to say, but who really is waiting for DOOM 4? Its been over a decade since DOOM 3 and 2 decades since DOOM 2... There isn't anyone holding their breath for this release (cause they would have passed on a decade ago if they were... yeah, lame joke). While DOOM was a revolutionary game in a way, taking the ball from Wolfenstein and running with it; It really was more of a bridging title to the most important game in early history of that genre, Quake.

    I for one can wait for them to get it right. No need to rush it... it's been 10 years already... what's the harm in waiting another 5?


    Doom & Doom 2 were many things: a "bridging title" was not one of them. The fact you suggest that and hold a strong place for Quake just means you're a slightly younger generation.
  • 0 Hide
    Cons29 , May 17, 2014 3:35 AM
    doom3 was bad in terms of gameplay, graphics were nice and all at the time. but with all the great games today, they better step up or the current generation of gamers won't even know them
  • 0 Hide
    notherdude , May 17, 2014 4:40 AM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Terrible of me to say, but who really is waiting for DOOM 4? Its been over a decade since DOOM 3 and 2 decades since DOOM 2... There isn't anyone holding their breath for this release (cause they would have passed on a decade ago if they were... yeah, lame joke). While DOOM was a revolutionary game in a way, taking the ball from Wolfenstein and running with it; It really was more of a bridging title to the most important game in early history of that genre, Quake.

    I for one can wait for them to get it right. No need to rush it... it's been 10 years already... what's the harm in waiting another 5?


    Doom & Doom 2 were many things: a "bridging title" was not one of them. The fact you suggest that and hold a strong place for Quake just means you're a slightly younger generation.


    Indeed Doom was legendary and no mere bridge. Wolfenstein was the weak sister of the three. IMO Quake was also seminal. ID just hit three homers in a row and then plateaued with Quake 2 and Quake 3 arena and then went down fast.
  • 0 Hide
    coolitic , May 17, 2014 8:30 AM
    I wouldn't trust what this guy is saying. Doom 4 is probably gonna be AT LEAST decent. I doubt it will be a fail.
  • 0 Hide
    Christopher Shaffer , May 17, 2014 11:38 AM
    Quote:
    Later on in the review, the former employee begins to spill the juicy DOOM 4 details, reporting that the entire tech team has quit and moved over to Oculus VR. They exited the company in February in protest to the way management was treating the employees and contractors.


    Wow, if that doesn't lend credibility to id's lawsuit laying claim to some of the IP associated with Oculus Rift, I don't know what does.

    I'd say John Carmack is the dick behind this, too. This guy has been playing double agent for some time, going so far as to downplay the newer console systems as irrelevant and trying to completely disassociate the Rift from any other platform other than PC gaming.

    Now that a bunch of id'ers have followed him to Oculus, it's no surprise they're trying to rebuff with a suggestion of "bad working conditions" to deter support for id's claim to the Rift IP.

    Something stinks like shadiness to me.
  • 0 Hide
    jimmysmitty , May 17, 2014 12:04 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Terrible of me to say, but who really is waiting for DOOM 4? Its been over a decade since DOOM 3 and 2 decades since DOOM 2... There isn't anyone holding their breath for this release (cause they would have passed on a decade ago if they were... yeah, lame joke). While DOOM was a revolutionary game in a way, taking the ball from Wolfenstein and running with it; It really was more of a bridging title to the most important game in early history of that genre, Quake.

    I for one can wait for them to get it right. No need to rush it... it's been 10 years already... what's the harm in waiting another 5?


    I am.

    I still play the original Doom and Doom II about once every year or two just for fun. The no-holds-barred art style is still a little creepy and the level design is still enjoyable 20 years on. Doom 3 wasn't a perfect game but had a great dark and claustrophobic atmosphere that I really enjoyed.


    I'm not saying DOOM is a bad series... frankly DOOM2 was freakin' great. hell DOOM1 was amazing too, just saying I can't imagine anyone is "holding their breath" for this one. With series like Crysis, Quake, MW, CoD, Halo ... and on and on, the FPS genre is filled with AAA+ titles from top to bottom... I'd rather see this series just be shelved till they can do it right, then have them rush it out half done.

    We waited 10 years for this game we can wait longer i think. Its not like there is nothing good to play in this genre.


    While they are considered AAA titles, I wouldn't call them AAA quality. Most of those you mentioned are yearly cash grabs with no real heart put into them.

    I personally hope whatever they do with DooM 4 that they keep to the Doom ideal and make it fast paced and full of action.

    This would be in the same vein as asking if HL3 is worth the wait, when I would say it is as it is not a yearly cash grab but a veteran franchise that deserves a fair try.

    Quote:
    Quote:
    Later on in the review, the former employee begins to spill the juicy DOOM 4 details, reporting that the entire tech team has quit and moved over to Oculus VR. They exited the company in February in protest to the way management was treating the employees and contractors.


    Wow, if that doesn't lend credibility to id's lawsuit laying claim to some of the IP associated with Oculus Rift, I don't know what does.

    I'd say John Carmack is the dick behind this, too. This guy has been playing double agent for some time, going so far as to downplay the newer console systems as irrelevant and trying to completely disassociate the Rift from any other platform other than PC gaming.

    Now that a bunch of id'ers have followed him to Oculus, it's no surprise they're trying to rebuff with a suggestion of "bad working conditions" to deter support for id's claim to the Rift IP.

    Something stinks like shadiness to me.


    Which is strange as I have seen quotes of him saying he is more interested in the consoles currently than PC.

    Maybe he is just going crazy.
  • 1 Hide
    ingtar33 , May 17, 2014 3:56 PM
    Quote:
    Doom & Doom 2 were many things: a "bridging title" was not one of them. The fact you suggest that and hold a strong place for Quake just means you're a slightly younger generation.


    you do know quake came out in 1995 right? one year behind Doom2...

    Frankly i thought Doom and Doom2 were great games... but they never had the impact quake did.

    Younger generation? I remember playing (and loving) Wolfenstien on the Mac in 1992.. when it came out in the
  • 0 Hide
    bvcxz , May 17, 2014 9:16 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:


    you do know quake came out in 1995
    Quote:


    In 1996. Doom created the genre 3 years earlier - in 1993. And it was the most popular PC application at the time, more popular than Windows. FPS games were called "Doom clones" for years.
  • 0 Hide
    Pinhedd , May 17, 2014 9:19 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Quote:


    you do know quake came out in 1995
    Quote:


    In 1996. Doom created the genre 3 years earlier - in 1993. And it was the most popular PC application at the time, more popular than Windows. FPS games were called "Doom clones" for years.
    Quote:


    CoD is essentially just Quake with modern weaponry
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