Originally Published 4 months ago — by Hacker News
John Carmack criticizes Meta's efforts to build a custom XR operating system, arguing that the complexity, resource waste, and strategic missteps make such projects impractical and unnecessary, especially given the dominance of existing solutions like Linux. The discussion also touches on workplace dynamics, innovation challenges, and the broader context of tech giants' R&D investments.
In a lengthy podcast interview, programmer John Carmack discusses the significance of JavaScript in today's digital landscape, suggesting that if we are living in a simulation, it's likely written in JavaScript. Despite its initial flaws and criticisms, JavaScript plays a crucial role in making web pages dynamic and is widely used in both front- and backend development for various platforms and apps. While some programmers still disparage its original shortcomings, it's important to recognize that software, including programming languages, can be revised and improved over time.
In a joint interview during Doom's 30th-anniversary celebration, id co-founders John Carmack and John Romero reflected on the game's success, highlighting how it struck a perfect balance between technology and simplicity. They discussed the limitations of their previous game, Wolfenstein 3D, and how Doom's introduction of angled walls and variable heights allowed for more design variation. They also discussed the challenges they faced with Quake's full 3D design, acknowledging that they may not have chosen the optimal direction. Ultimately, they considered Doom to be "as close to a perfect game as anything we made."
Doom, the seminal first-person shooter, celebrated its 30th anniversary with co-creator John Romero releasing new levels for the game and reflecting on its impact on IT careers. Romero and co-creator John Carmack highlighted how Doom's multiplayer mode encouraged players to acquire the hardware and skills necessary for networked gaming, leading to many IT professionals entering the field. They also discussed the game's pioneering release to the internet and its influence on software packaging. Despite its breakthrough gameplay, Doom required merchandising to succeed, and Carmack expressed nostalgia for the creative packaging and marketing efforts of the era. The game continues to be enjoyed by players and developers alike, with its level editor being praised for its accessibility.
John Romero releases a new Doom episode called "Sigil II" to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Doom. The episode includes nine new maps and offers an upgrade with a THORR soundtrack. The official page also sells various merchandise, including boxed editions of the original game Sigil and a "Megawad Beast Box" featuring artwork by Christopher Lovell. John Romero and John Carmack appeared on a special 30th anniversary stream on Twitch to discuss their experiences with Doom.
John Carmack, the legendary software developer behind Doom, believes that an artificial general intelligence (AGI) could be publicly demonstrated by 2030. Carmack made this statement at an event announcing that his AGI startup, Keen, has hired Richard Sutton, a renowned expert in reinforcement learning. While Keen's team is small and has limited funding compared to larger AI companies, Carmack and Sutton are confident that they can make significant contributions towards AGI development. Carmack also emphasized the need for addressing fundamental research questions and understanding how AGIs can digest experiences and predict future outcomes. He expects that within the next six to eight years, significant progress will be made in the field of AGI.
In an excerpt from his book "DOOM GUY: Life in First Person," id Software co-founder John Romero describes the last-minute development of DOOM's multiplayer mode in 1993. Lead programmer John Carmack implemented a peer-to-peer networking system, allowing multiple players to sync up and play together. The team coined the term "deathmatch" for the competitive mode and introduced the word "frag" to describe kills. Despite a last-minute bug, the game was successfully launched on December 10, 1993, becoming a revolutionary and highly influential title in gaming history.
John Carmack, co-founder of Id Software, returned to QuakeCon for the first time in a decade, expressing his happiness at being welcomed back. Carmack had been involved in legal battles with his former employer, Zenimax Media, after leaving Id Software in 2013. He later became the center of a lawsuit between Zenimax and Oculus parent Facebook, which he was eventually absolved of. Carmack sued Zenimax in 2017, but an agreement was reached in 2018. Carmack's return to QuakeCon has sparked speculation about a potential collaboration with Microsoft, following their acquisition of Zenimax.
Legendary game developer John Carmack has defended his decision to attend BasedCon, a science fiction and fantasy convention for "non-leftist" writers, following social media criticism. Carmack says he was simply interested in attending as a fan of "hard science fiction stories with a bit of a competent libertarian vibe". BasedCon will run for its third year this September, at a hotel in Michigan.