Doom co-creator reveals how id Software used pirates to get the game to more people

Doom is one of the most influential games ever made, but id Software didn’t rely on traditional retailers to get it into players’ hands. Instead, the studio once worked directly with Taiwanese pirates to help distribute it. Released in 1993, Doom helped popularize the first-person shooter genre with its fast-paced combat, labyrinthine levels, and multiplayer support. It was developed by id Software, the studio co-founded by John Romero, who worked as a designer and programmer on the game.