John Romero Talks Xbox Game Pass, DOOM Legacy, and the Exciting Future of Gaming

John Romero, the legendary co-founder of id Software and designer behind the iconic DOOM, recently shared his thoughts on Xbox Game Pass—and he’s a big fan. Speaking with Luke Lohr on Xbox Expansion Pass, Romero highlighted how the subscription service has become a game-changer for players and developers alike.

“It’s great because it’s try before you buy,” Romero explained. “You try something, install it, if you like it, dive in and go buy the expansions, go get the rest of it. It’s a really great way to just try stuff, one thing after another. Really, the barrier for people to play games is just access to those games. Even free-to-play games—it’s about knowing those games exist. Game Pass is like, ‘Here they are!'”

Romero praised the service for its visibility and accessibility, making it easy for players to discover and experiment with new titles. “I’ve heard about this thing, let me just install this and see what it’s like,” he added. “It doesn’t hurt the game companies that made those games, because they would’ve uninstalled it even if it took them longer to get it.”

The interview covers a wide range of topics, including Romero’s work on DOOM, Quake, and his more recent projects. You can check out the full conversation here: XEP Interview: John Romero on Doom, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Doom’s Legacy – YouTube.

A Packed Year Ahead for Xbox Game Pass Subscribers

Xbox Game Pass continues to deliver a strong lineup, with Microsoft’s first-party studios firing on all cylinders. The first half of 2025 is shaping up to be particularly exciting, with key releases on the horizon:

• Avowed (February): Obsidian Entertainment’s highly anticipated RPG.
• South of Midnight (April): A narrative-driven adventure from Compulsion Games.
• DOOM: The Dark Ages (May): The latest demon-slaying installment from id Software.

Things become less specific in the latter half of the year, but there’s plenty to look forward to. Obsidian is pulling double duty with The Outer Worlds 2, while Playground Games is set to release its long-awaited Fable reboot. Xbox Game Studios is also publishing Ninja Gaiden 4, a project that’s been years in the making.

Additionally, there are rumors swirling about unannounced titles, including a new Call of Duty and a possible remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

With such a stacked schedule, Xbox Game Pass remains one of the best ways for gamers to access a diverse library of titles, from AAA hits to hidden gems.

Stay tuned for more gaming news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox fans!