John Romero, co-creator of DOOM, Quake, and one of the most influential designers in FPS history, sat down with me for a deep conversation on game design, learning game development, indie dev mistakes, Unreal vs Unity, core loops, fun vs emotion, scoping projects, level design philosophy, and more.

If you're learning game dev, or already building, this interview is packed with hard-earned wisdom from one of the most important designers in gaming history.

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Most new game devs rush to release their first game on Steam.
But without a foundation, your dream project will collapse before it ever gets off the ground.

In this video, I break down what a real game dev foundation looks like, not theory, not hype, but the practical steps every developer should take before chasing Steam releases, success stories, or marketing tips.

If you’re serious about becoming a long-term developer (not a one-hit wonder), this is where to start.

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Steam isn’t the only path for indie game developers. In this video, I break down 7 different game dev paths, from major Steam releases to smaller games, studio work, freelance, tools, and more.

Whether you want to go full indie, build a studio, or join an established team, this guide will help you understand which route fits your goals and skills best.

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Want to learn game dev? https://www.skool.com/tenth-legion-games/about

If you’re just starting game dev, chasing a Steam release now is the wrong path. This video breaks down why “Steam-first” advice sets beginners up for burnout—and what to do instead: build real skills, make small projects, and enjoy the craft so you’re actually ready when it’s time to go commercial.

You’ll learn:

Why survivorship bias warps “make a Steam game” advice

The skill stacks you should build before worrying about sales

How to avoid burnout and stay in the game for years

A practical first-year approach that compounds

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Want to learn game dev? https://www.skool.com/tenth-legion-games/about

Everyone says “pick a streamable genre” and chase what’s hot on Steam. I disagree. As indie devs (especially solo devs), genre should be the last thing on your mind. Make the game you want to play, scope it to your skill level, and you’ll build faster, have more fun, and actually finish.

In this video I break down why “genre doesn’t matter,” how genres came after games, why chasing the latest hit is a trap, and a simple exercise to identify what’s genuinely fun for you as a player, then turn that into a shippable plan.

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Want to learn game dev? https://www.skool.com/tenth-legion-games/about