You have to design and program differently. Combat action in an MMO is so different to combat in a first-person shooter.

The quote by John Romero highlights the contrast between developing MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online games) and first-person shooters. When he says, “You have to design and program differently. Combat action in an MMO is so different to combat in a first-person shooter,” he is emphasizing the unique design and programming challenges each genre presents. While both involve combat mechanics, their underlying systems, pacing, and player interactions require entirely different approaches.

In a first-person shooter (FPS), combat is typically fast-paced, requiring real-time reflexes, fluid controls, and precise hit detection. The emphasis is on moment-to-moment gameplay, where milliseconds can decide the outcome of a match. On the other hand, MMO combat often involves slower, more strategic mechanics, such as cooldowns, skill rotations, and cooperative play with large groups of players. This makes the programming focus less about speed and more about scalability, balance, and handling hundreds or thousands of simultaneous interactions.

The origin of the quote comes from Romero’s experience and commentary on game development. As one of the pioneering figures in FPS history—co-creating classics like Doom and Quake—Romero’s perspective carries weight. His statement reflects not just technical differences but also the philosophy of design: developers must tailor their mechanics to the genre’s expectations, rather than trying to apply the same solutions across different game types.

Ultimately, Romero’s insight underscores the importance of genre-specific design in video game development. His comparison shows how the creative and technical demands of MMOs and FPS games diverge, even though both fall under the umbrella of combat-focused gaming. By stressing the need to “design and program differently,” he reminds aspiring developers that success comes from understanding the player experience unique to each genre.