John Romero, co-founder of id Software and co-creator of Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3D, will headline this year’s Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok from October 29 to November 1, 2026. His keynote address, titled “Why We Still Make Games,” will explore his extensive career in game development and the challenges he has faced.
Romero’s keynote is expected to reflect on his experiences in the gaming industry, including overcoming setbacks and adapting to changes over the decades. He has publicly expressed support for staff at id Software who were affected by recent layoffs resulting from Xbox’s restructuring.
“I’m so sorry for everyone at id Software affected by these layoffs,” Romero tweeted. “I know what it feels like to leave id while id goes on. It’s a strange and painful thing to step away from a place that holds so much of your work, friendships and history.”
Romero’s own studio, Romero Games, has faced challenges, including the cancellation of an unannounced shooter in 2025 due to funding cuts from Microsoft. This background is likely to inform his discussions at the event.
Romero is among several confirmed speakers, including Nick Herman and Dennis Lenart from AdHoc Studio, and Zhen Fang, VP and Head of International at Roblox. More speakers are anticipated as the event approaches.
Last year’s Gamescom Asia featured keynotes from developers at Ubisoft and Naughty Dog, as well as a notable address from Glen Schofield, co-creator of Dead Space, who described the gaming industry as “broken, beaten, and battered.” Schofield announced his retirement from game development a year later.
This year’s Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show is set to be the largest yet, expanding to four halls and covering 35,000 square meters. Major publishers such as Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Capcom, and Sega will participate, alongside a significant area dedicated to indie developers from Southeast Asia and beyond.
