Who Is John Romero? Age, Biography, and Wiki
John Romero, born on October 28, 1967, is a prominent American video game designer and programmer celebrated for his significant contributions to the gaming industry. Known for co-founding id Software, Romero played a pivotal role in developing classic games such as Doom and Quake, which revolutionized first-person shooters. By 2025, he has become a respected figure in the industry, recognized not only for his game development skills but also for his entrepreneurial spirit and creative innovations.
At 57 years old, Romero continues to influence aspiring developers and gamers, engaging with fans and the gaming community through various platforms and initiatives.
Occupation | Game Designer |
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Date of Birth | October 28, 1967 |
Age | 57 Years |
Birth Place | Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
Horoscope | Scorpio |
Country | U.S |
Popularity
John Romero's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While exact statistics can fluctuate over time, as of 2025, John Romero’s height is approximately 6 feet (183 cm), and he maintains a weight around 185 pounds (84 kg). Known for his generative passion for gaming and active lifestyle, his body stats reflect a healthy and active individual, showcasing his commitment to both personal health and professional success.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As a private individual, John Romero has kept much of his personal life under wraps. As of 2025, he is reportedly in a happy relationship, though specific details regarding his boyfriend remain discreet. He tends to focus on his work and contributions to the gaming community but often shares glimpses of his life through social media, emphasizing the importance of personal relationships and family.
He has said that he has Mexican, Yaqui, and Cherokee grandparents. His mother, Ginny, met Alfonso Antonio Romero when they were teenagers in Tucson, Arizona. Alfonso, a first-generation Mexican American, was a maintenance man at an air force base, spending his days fixing air conditioners and heating systems.
After Alfonso and Ginny married, they headed in a 1948 Chrysler with three hundred dollars to Colorado, hoping their interracial relationship would thrive in more tolerant surroundings.
Net Worth and Salary
In 2025, John Romero's estimated net worth stands at approximately $20 million. This wealth stems from his extensive career in the gaming industry, including investments and ownership stakes in various gaming startups. Despite occasional ups and downs in his ventures, his profound impact on the industry and continued involvement in game development have ensured a lucrative financial standing.
Career, Business and Investments
Romero's career began in the late 1980s, and he quickly rose to fame with his groundbreaking work on widely acclaimed games that laid the foundation for modern gaming. Beyond his initial success at id Software, John has ventured into various projects and startups, including Monkeystone Games and Romero Games, where he continues to innovate and create engaging gaming experiences.
In recent years, he has also invested in technology companies and gaming startups, remaining on the forefront of gaming technology and trends. His contributions extend beyond game design, as he actively promotes video game education and mentorship programs for aspiring developers.
In 2003, Romero joined Midway Games as the project lead on Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows (2005), and left shortly before its release. He founded another company, Gazillion Entertainment, in 2005. In 2016, Romero and another former id employee, Adrian Carmack, announced a new FPS, Blackroom, but it was canceled after it failed to gain funding.
Social Network
John Romero maintains an active presence on multiple social media platforms, engaging with fans and industry colleagues alike. On platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, he shares insights on game development, upcoming projects, and personal anecdotes. His social network presence allows him to connect directly with his audience, fostering a community of gamers and developers who admire his work.
Romero worked at id Software from its inception in 1991 until 1996. He was involved in the creation of several milestone games, including Commander Keen, Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Doom II: Hell on Earth and Quake. He served as executive producer (and game designer) on Heretic and Hexen.
He designed most of the first episode of Doom, a quarter of the levels in Quake, and half the levels in Commander Keen and Wolfenstein 3D: Spear of Destiny.
He wrote many of the tools used at id Software to create their games, including DoomEd (level editor), QuakeEd (level editor), DM (for deathmatch launching), DWANGO client (to connect the game to DWANGO's servers), TED5 (level editor for the Commander Keen series, Wolfenstein 3D: Spear of Destiny), IGRAB (for grabbing assets and putting them in WAD
files), the installers for all the games up to and including Quake, the SETUP program used to configure the games, and several others.
In his keynote speech at WeAreDevelopers Conference 2017, Romero named this period Turbo Mode, in which he emphasizes having created 28 games, in 5.5 years with a team consisting of fewer than 10 developers. Romero is also credited with coining the multiplayer term "deathmatch".
Education
While specific details about his academic background are not widely publicized, it is known that John Romero's education includes a foundational understanding of computer programming and design. His hands-on experience and passion for gaming have served as his best teachers throughout his illustrious career. He often encourages young professionals to prioritize practical experience and continuous learning in the evolving landscape of the gaming industry.