5 ms·

I find it a curiosity that John Carmack is perpetually touted as the whiz kid even though Tim Sweeney has done far, far more from both a technological standpoin

I find it a curiosity that John Carmack is perpetually touted as the whiz kid even though Tim Sweeney has done far, far more from both a technological standpoint and a business standpoint. But then again I'll never understand the fawning to begin with so there's that.

IronRanger 6y ago
Because Tim Sweeney is just not as charismatic, unfortunately. Great guy though.
- fullstop 6y ago
  Rocket League used to have Linux support before he came along. Now playing it in Linux can get you banned from their platform.
Grazester 6y ago
Is Sweeney the lead programmer with Unreal still? Carmack seemed to care more about the technical side of things and programming. I think to him ID Software just served for allowing him to just do what he loved to do.
- troughway 6y ago
  I faintly recall an interview with one of the developers not too long ago, maybe a few years ago or so, where they said Sweeney still touches some 80% of the code base. Also, there's always this old gem that HN should get giddy about: https://www.st.cs.uni-saarland.de/edu/seminare/2005/advanced-fp/docs/sweeny.pdf https://www.st.cs.uni-saarland.de/edu/seminare/2005/advanced... I just think JC/Abrash/etc have an aura/cult of personality that doesn't seem all that impressive when you get someone who is a powerhouse of tech and business acumen like Sweeney next to them.
  - bananabiscuit 6y ago
    What makes those slides so special?
jonas21 6y ago
Carmack came first. id's groundbreaking games -- Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Quake -- were all released by 1996, while Unreal didn't come along until 1998. It's natural to have a lot of respect for the pioneers because those who come after are building upon what they created.
senko 6y ago
Masters of Doom is a great book going in length about the personalities and talents of Carmack and others from the early days of id Software. If you're genuinely curious about it, I think you'll find the book a fascinating read.
- troughway 6y ago
  Read it some 15 years ago.
turing_complete 6y ago
Do we have to choose? They are both giants.

IronRanger 6y ago

Because Tim Sweeney is just not as charismatic, unfortunately. Great guy though.

fullstop 6y ago
Rocket League used to have Linux support before he came along. Now playing it in Linux can get you banned from their platform.

Grazester 6y ago

Is Sweeney the lead programmer with Unreal still? Carmack seemed to care more about the technical side of things and programming. I think to him ID Software just served for allowing him to just do what he loved to do.

troughway 6y ago
I faintly recall an interview with one of the developers not too long ago, maybe a few years ago or so, where they said Sweeney still touches some 80% of the code base. Also, there's always this old gem that HN should get giddy about: https://www.st.cs.uni-saarland.de/edu/seminare/2005/advanced-fp/docs/sweeny.pdf https://www.st.cs.uni-saarland.de/edu/seminare/2005/advanced... I just think JC/Abrash/etc have an aura/cult of personality that doesn't seem all that impressive when you get someone who is a powerhouse of tech and business acumen like Sweeney next to them.
- bananabiscuit 6y ago
  What makes those slides so special?

jonas21 6y ago

Carmack came first. id's groundbreaking games -- Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Quake -- were all released by 1996, while Unreal didn't come along until 1998. It's natural to have a lot of respect for the pioneers because those who come after are building upon what they created.

senko 6y ago

Masters of Doom is a great book going in length about the personalities and talents of Carmack and others from the early days of id Software. If you're genuinely curious about it, I think you'll find the book a fascinating read.

troughway 6y ago
Read it some 15 years ago.

turing_complete 6y ago

Do we have to choose? They are both giants.