# id Software

> American video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q204474](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q204474)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id_Software)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/id-software

## Summary  
id Software is an American video game developer founded on 1 February 1991 in Shreveport, United States. It is best known for creating the pioneering first‑person shooters *Doom* and *Quake* and for developing the in‑house id Tech game engines. The company is currently owned by Microsoft and operates as a limited‑liability company headquartered in Richardson, Texas.

## Key Facts  
- **Founded:** 1 February 1991 (inception) – Shreveport, United States.  
- **Founders:** John Carmack, Adrian Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero.  
- **Legal form:** Limited liability company.  
- **Industry classification:** Video game industry; instance of “video game developer”.  
- **Headquarters:** Richardson, Texas (coordinates 32.9678 ° N, ‑96.7197 ° W).  
- **Ownership:** Owned by Microsoft; previously a subsidiary of ZeniMax Media (parent org start 2009‑06‑24).  
- **Employees:** 39 (as reported in structured properties).  
- **Notable works:** *Doom* (1993) and the *Doom* franchise; *Quake* series.  
- **Technology:** Creator of the id Tech series of game engines; id Tech 2 released in 1997.  
- **Online presence:** Official website https://www.idsoftware.com/; Twitter @idSoftware (verified).  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was id Software founded?  
A: id Software was founded on 1 February 1991, with its formation recorded in Shreveport, United States.  

### Q: Who started id Software?  
A: The company was co‑founded by four programmers: John Carmack, Adrian Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero.  

### Q: What are id Software’s most famous games?  
A: id Software’s flagship titles are the *Doom* series (beginning with *Doom* in 1993) and the *Quake* series, both of which defined the first‑person shooter genre.  

### Q: Who currently owns id Software?  
A: id Software is owned by Microsoft, the American multinational technology corporation.  

### Q: What technology is id Software known for?  
A: id Software created the id Tech family of game engines, beginning with id Tech 2 in 1997, which have powered many of its landmark titles.  

## Why It Matters  
id Software reshaped interactive entertainment by inventing the modern first‑person shooter (FPS) with *Doom* and *Quake*. These games introduced fast‑paced, network‑enabled multiplayer combat and set technical standards for real‑time 3D rendering. The id Tech engine series, originating from the company’s own research, became a reusable foundation for subsequent titles across the industry, influencing engine design at studios worldwide. By pioneering both gameplay mechanics and underlying technology, id Software accelerated the evolution of PC and console gaming, helped popularize online multiplayer, and inspired countless developers. Its acquisition by Microsoft integrates this legacy into a broader ecosystem, ensuring continued influence on future game development and distribution.  

## Notable For  
- **First‑person shooter pioneer:** *Doom* (1993) established the FPS genre and popularized network multiplayer.  
- **Engine innovation:** Developed the id Tech series, starting with id Tech 2 in 1997, which set new standards for real‑time 3D graphics.  
- **Founding team:** Four seminal programmers—John Carmack, Adrian Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero—who later became icons of game development.  
- **Strategic ownership:** Transitioned from an independent studio to a ZeniMax Media subsidiary (2009) and now a Microsoft‑owned entity, linking its technology to a major platform ecosystem.  
- **Cultural impact:** The *Doom* franchise remains a cultural touchstone, spawning sequels, spin‑offs, and a lasting community of modders and esports competitors.  

## Body  

### History  
- **1991 – Formation:** id Software was incorporated on 1 February 1991 in Shreveport, Texas, as a limited liability company.  
- **Early titles:** The studio’s first major release, *Commander Keen*, demonstrated its expertise in smooth side‑scrolling.  

### Founders & Key People  
- **John Carmack:** Lead programmer and chief technology officer; central to engine development.  
- **Adrian Carmack:** Video‑game artist; co‑founder.  
- **Tom Hall:** Game designer; co‑founder.  
- **John Romero:** Designer and programmer; co‑founder.  

### Ownership & Corporate Structure  
- **Parent organization:** Became part of ZeniMax Media on 24 June 2009.  
- **Current owner:** Microsoft (acquired ZeniMax Media and its subsidiaries).  
- **Legal status:** Registered as a limited liability company in the United States.  

### Headquarters  
- **Location:** Richardson, Texas (postal code EC1V 0DS).  
- **Geographic coordinates:** 32.9678 ° N, ‑96.7197 ° W.  

### Products & Notable Works  
- **Doom (1993):** Defined the FPS genre; introduced fast‑paced combat and modding culture.  
- **Quake (1996):** First fully 3D FPS; leveraged early online multiplayer.  
- **Doom franchise:** Continues to be a flagship series with multiple sequels and re‑releases.  

### Technology – id Tech Engines  
- **id Tech 2 (1997):** First major in‑house engine released after *Quake*.  
- Subsequent versions (id Tech 3, id Tech 4, etc.) built on the same architecture, powering later titles and licensed to other studios.  

### Online Presence & Community  
- **Website:** https://www.idsoftware.com/ – central hub for news, support, and product information.  
- **Twitter:** @idSoftware (verified) – used for announcements and community engagement.  

### Industry Classification & Memberships  
- **Industry:** Video game industry; classified as a “video game developer”.  
- **Associations:** Member of GAME and the German Games Industry Association (“game”).  

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## References

1. museum-digital
2. LastDodo
3. National Software Reference Library
4. [Source](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/id-software)
5. [Source](https://www.game.de/mitglieder/)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. MusicBrainz
8. [id Software](https://github.com/id-Software)
9. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
10. Quora
11. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Id_Software-EX34)
12. VideoGameGeek
13. [id Software - The Doom Wiki at DoomWiki.org](https://doomwiki.org/wiki/Id_Software)
14. Video Games Chronicle