Softdisk
id Software's birthplace
The disk magazine publisher where John Carmack, John Romero, and other id Software founders worked before leaving to create DOOM and change gaming forever.
Overview
Softdisk was a disk magazine publisher founded in 1981 in Shreveport, Louisiana. While successful in its own right, Softdisk’s greatest legacy was as the workplace where id Software’s founders—John Carmack, John Romero, Adrian Carmack, and Tom Hall—met and collaborated before leaving to revolutionise gaming.
Fast Facts
- Founded: 1981
- Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
- Product: Disk magazines (monthly software)
- Notable alumni: id Software founders
- Publications: Big Blue Disk, Softdisk, Gamer’s Edge
The Disk Magazine Model
Softdisk published monthly software on disk:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Format | Floppy disk magazines |
| Content | Games, utilities, articles |
| Distribution | Subscription mail order |
| Frequency | Monthly releases |
Publications
| Title | Platform | Era |
|---|---|---|
| Softdisk | Apple II | 1981+ |
| Big Blue Disk | IBM PC | 1986+ |
| Gamer’s Edge | PC | 1990-1991 |
The id Software Connection
Key personnel who later founded id:
| Person | Role at Softdisk |
|---|---|
| John Carmack | Programmer |
| John Romero | Programmer/designer |
| Adrian Carmack | Artist |
| Tom Hall | Designer |
The Departure
In 1991, the future id team left Softdisk:
- Developed Commander Keen on company time
- Left to pursue shareware publishing
- Created id Software
- Made Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, Quake
Legacy
Softdisk was the incubator for the most influential game development team of the 1990s. Without this disk magazine company bringing together Carmack, Romero, and others, PC gaming might have evolved very differently.