John Romero’s New Game: The Legendary Designer Returns
New Challenges and Resilience
Video game industry legend and co-creator of Doom and Quake, John Romero, has shared fresh details regarding his upcoming project. The past year proved difficult for Romero Games; following a major reorganization at Microsoft, the studio lost its funding, which saw the team shrink from 110 employees to just five. Despite these setbacks, the designer insists he feels better than he has in decades.
Speaking at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2026, Romero confirmed that the studio has secured a new publisher and is actively developing the title using Unreal Engine 5.8. While specific details such as the game’s title and release date remain under wraps, it is clear that the team is integrating many elements from their previous, cancelled project into this new concept.
Prioritising Freedom and Exploration
According to Romero, his new shooter will be radically different from traditional, linear projects. The designer emphasised his dislike for games that dictate a player’s every move. Instead, he aims to create an experience that grants the player complete freedom.
This is where the influence of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild comes into play. Romero explained that the game’s structure will allow players to engage in various adventures while on their way to a primary objective. Often, players may find themselves forgetting their original task because they encounter something along the way that captures their full attention. This is the specific “sense of adventure” the creator is striving to achieve.
What to Expect?
Although the game remains in the early stages of development, Romero’s promise to deliver a “new type” of experience within the shooter genre is intriguing. Comparisons to titles like Elden Ring suggest the project will place a heavy emphasis on discovery and environmental exploration.
For gamers following the work of the pioneer of the classic first-person shooter genre, this news is promising. Even with reduced resources, the team’s ambition suggests that Romero’s next hit could be the very innovation the genre has been waiting for.