Three key figures from id Software reflected on the 30th anniversary of *Quake* (released June 22, 2026). Co-designer Sandy Petersen wrote on X that "Quake ruined id Software," stating the intense workload "broke us spiritually." He listed those who left "within a couple years of finishing Quake," including John Romero, Shawn Green, Dave Taylor, Mike Abrash, American McGee, and himself, attributing departures to burnout, not lack of talent. Petersen wrote that "id Software was never the same after," calling *Quake 3* the only other truly great post-*Quake* game, though he said *Quake* was "absolutely" worth the cost. John Carmack responded, saying *Quake* was "overly ambitious technically" and that the studio "could have done all the great multiplayer and modding work inside a Doom++ engine." Carmack added, "I pushed everyone too hard. I didn’t appreciate how maturing companies need more slack."