Carmack says Quake’s over‑reach and burnout doomed id Software
John Carmack looks back at Quake and flags three fatal missteps: an over‑ambitious engine that forced designers to rebuild mid‑project, relentless startup‑pace work that burned out staff, and a flawed equity plan that misaligned incentives. The post shows why realistic scope, sustainable pacing, and proper vesting matter for any tech studio.