John Romero says id Software once sold empty Doom boxes to Taiwanese pirates so fans there could have legit copies: 'For us, it was distribution'

In the early days of Doom's distribution, John Romero, co-founder of id Software, revealed that the studio intentionally facilitated the sale of empty Doom boxes to pirates in Taiwan. Romero explained that when people purchased the shareware version of Doom, they didn't receive the entire game, but rather the first chapter. Despite this, Romero encouraged these resellers to distribute the shareware version widely, stating that id Software was happy to see their work spread.

In Taiwan, where piracy was rampant, the studio collaborated with the largest pirates, allowing them to buy boxes from Romero's company at a discounted price. This arrangement ensured that the pirated copies were legitimate, as Romero emphasized that the goal was to make the game accessible to as many people as possible. Romero viewed the distribution of the shareware version as a form of promotion, as it allowed id Software to generate revenue when people eventually purchased the full game.

Prior to the widespread availability of the internet, many gamers relied on BBSes (bulletin board systems) to access shareware games, which often required long-distance phone calls and modem ownership. Romero acknowledged that the distribution of these unofficial copies was not ideal, but he maintained that it was better than no access at all.

Additionally, id Software chose not to implement copy protection measures, as they believed it was an ongoing battle that was never truly won. Romero stated that if people were going to copy the game, they would eventually do so, and id preferred not to waste resources on copy protection. Instead, the studio focused on making the game enjoyable and accessible for as many players as possible.