Wolfenstein Archives

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

John Carmack apologizes after Sandy Petersen says ‘Quake ruined id Software,’ and for once John Romero doesn’t tell Sandy he’s wrong

The 30th anniversary of Quake on June 22, 2026, led to reflections from its creators, particularly Sandy Petersen and John Carmack. Petersen stated, "Quake ruined id Software," acknowledging the game's achievements but highlighting the intense workload that drained the team. Carmack described the project as "overly ambitious technically" and admitted to pushing the team too hard, recognizing the need for a more balanced approach to ownership and work environment. He noted that the original corporate stock arrangement created poor incentives. Petersen mentioned that working in a large room eliminated spaces for relaxation, contributing to team stress. John Romero echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the culture at id Software and praising designer American McGee's contributions. The founders recognized their past mistakes while appreciating the legacy of their work, with id Software continuing to thrive with franchises like Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Doom And Duke Nukem 3D Composer Bobby Prince Dies At 81

Bobby Prince, a significant figure in classic PC gaming, passed away at the age of 81. He was a composer and sound designer known for his work with Apogee/3D Realms and id Software, contributing music to iconic games such as Doom, Wolfenstein, Duke Nukem, and Commander Keen. Originally trained as a lawyer, he transitioned to video game music after connecting with Scott Miller from Apogee. His work on Doom, characterized by heavy riffs and innovative sound design, earned a place in the Library of Congress for preservation. Prince also composed music for Duke Nukem 3D and was recognized as a pioneer in game music, sharing his expertise through articles and presentations at gaming conferences.

AppWizard

May 10, 2026

Warner Bros Adds Denuvo to LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Right Before Launch

Warner Bros has updated the Store page for LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight to include Denuvo anti-tamper technology, raising concerns about transparency since it was not disclosed at the pre-order launch. Other major publishers, including Capcom, Square Enix, Bethesda, and Bandai Namco, have removed Denuvo from several of their titles, indicating a trend against its long-term use. The game, set for release on May 22, features a narrative-driven action-adventure experience where players explore Batman's origins and navigate an open world with various vehicles.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Stellar Blade is the latest Denuvo game that has been cracked

Stellar Blade was cracked by the cracker known as ‘voices38,’ bypassing its Denuvo anti-tamper technology nearly a year after its release by Sony on PC in June 2025. Unlike typical practices, Sony has not removed the game from circulation. The voices38 crack bypasses Denuvo protections without altering the operating system, unlike the HYPERVISOR Bypass, which requires disabling certain Windows security features. Previous Denuvo cracks have allowed the technology to operate in the background. Legitimate owners of Stellar Blade face penalties while pirates access the game freely, raising questions about Denuvo's effectiveness. Other publishers, including Capcom, Square Enix, KRAFTON, NEOWIZ, Gearbox, Bethesda, Bandai Namco, and Warner Bros, have removed Denuvo from several of their titles.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

For Return to Castle Wolfenstein’s 25th anniversary, modders are bringing its console-exclusive levels to PC at last

The developers of Redneck Rampage have transitioned to creating Return to Castle Wolfenstein, marking a revival of id Software's franchise. The RealRTCW mod enhances the 2001 game with modern graphics, widescreen support, and gameplay rebalancing. The creators of RealRTCW plan to release a previously console-exclusive prologue as free DLC, which will deepen the narrative and gameplay experience. This DLC will be available on platforms like Steam and GOG, enriching the Return to Castle Wolfenstein experience.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Dave Oshry, CEO of New Blood Interactive, will never uninstall Doom from his PC, and has over 488 hours in Fallout 76: ‘It’s the best cryptid hunting game’

Dave Oshry is the CEO of New Blood Interactive and has contributed to the revival of the boomer-shooter genre. His gaming journey began with a game called "Hero," which was the original Quest for Glory, and was significantly influenced by playing Wolfenstein 3-D at a friend's house. His portfolio includes titles like Doom, Dusk, Amid Evil, and Ultrakill. New Blood is currently working on Gloomwood, Blood West, Dungeons of Dusk, and a new episode for Fallen Aces. Oshry's favorite genre is CRPGs, with a fondness for classics like Baldur's Gate and Fallout. He plays a modded version of Vice City and has logged 488.8 hours in Fallout 76. DOOM is a game he will never uninstall, and he uses a tool called Everything by Voidtools for file management. His desktop is organized with folders labeled for different categories.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

An oldie but a goodie: John Carmack once told us Quake Arena ‘was my favourite id Software game… always the one that I looked at as a pure game’

In a 2008 interview, John Carmack expressed a deep personal connection to Quake Arena, stating it was his favorite id Software game and considered it a "pure game." He acknowledged that Quake Arena might represent the peak of his design skills, reflecting on his evolution as a designer. Carmack noted, “My skills probably tapped out a decade ago,” indicating he felt he had nothing more to contribute beyond the Quake III level. He highlighted the enduring appeal of Quake Arena, which allows players to experience "pure play."

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

This Nightdive-remastered 3DO shooter shows why it took Halo to break PC gaming’s FPS hegemony

In 1993, the 3DO Company released Escape from Monster Manor, a horror-themed FPS inspired by Wolfenstein 3D, which was overshadowed by the popularity of Doom. The 3DO Company later discovered a title in development called PO'ed. Nightdive Studios recently remastered PO'ed, making it available for PC gamers. The game features a chef protagonist on a spacecraft overrun by aliens, with a quirky arsenal including a frying pan and flamethrower. However, it suffers from uninspired environments, lack of in-game music, confusing level design, and imprecise controls. Despite its flaws, PO'ed is considered a notable artifact of early FPS gaming history.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Fill the gaps in your Bethesda collection with Oblivion, Fallout, Doom, and other classics from just $3 each

The Build Your Own Bethesda Bundle from Fanatical offers a selection of games priced at approximately per game, featuring significant titles such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fallout 3, and The Evil Within. Oblivion is highlighted for its unique charm, varied quests, and engaging NPC interactions, often considered superior to its successor, Skyrim. The bundle includes a variety of Bethesda classics, such as titles from the Fallout series, DOOM, Quake, Dishonored, Wolfenstein, and The Evil Within. The opportunity to purchase only desired titles is emphasized, with the bundle expiring on Tuesday, May 5th.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

The best FPS games of all time, from a PC gaming veteran

First-person shooters (FPS) have captivated gamers since the early 1990s, with influential titles shaping the genre. - Wolfenstein 3D: Developed by id Software, released on May 5, 1992, for PC (MS-DOS). It established core gameplay with real-time movement and first-person perspectives. - Quake: Developed by id Software, released on June 22, 1996, for PC (MS-DOS, Windows). It transitioned FPS from 2.5D to true 3D rendering, enhancing gameplay speed and introducing vertical aiming. - Half-Life: Developed by Valve, released on November 19, 1998, for PC (Windows, Linux, Mac). It integrated storytelling with gameplay, featuring a silent protagonist and advanced AI. - Counter-Strike 1.6: Developed by Valve, released in September 2003 for PC (Windows, Mac, Linux). Originally a mod for Half-Life, it emphasized teamwork and strategy in competitive gameplay. - Halo 2: Developed by Bungie, released on November 9, 2004, for Xbox and PC. It introduced new perspectives and moral complexities, with a strong online multiplayer experience. - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: Developed by Infinity Ward, released on November 5, 2007, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It transformed military FPS with a cinematic approach and persistent progression in multiplayer. - Left 4 Dead: Developed by Valve, released on November 17, 2008, for PC and Xbox 360. It focused on cooperative gameplay against zombies, featuring a dynamic AI Director. - Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Developed by EA DICE, released on March 2, 2010, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It featured large-scale combat and destructible environments, emphasizing squad cooperation. Other notable FPS games include GoldenEye 007, Titanfall, and Bioshock, contributing to the genre's diversity and appeal.