An oldie but a goodie: John Carmack once told us Quake Arena ‘was my favourite id Software game… always the one that I looked at as a pure game’
In a 2008 interview unearthed from PC Gamer’s archives, legendary developer John Carmack discussed his fondness for Quake Arena, calling it his favorite id Software game. Carmack praised the title as “the one that I looked at as a pure game,” highlighting its enduring appeal and design quality. The interview showcases Carmack’s perspective on one of the classic first-person shooters that helped define the competitive gaming landscape of the late 1990s. PC Gamer’s discovery of the piece reflects on how Quake Arena “stands the test of time” as a gaming experience. The retrospective serves as a reminder of Carmack’s influential role in shaping id Software’s legacy during his tenure at the studio, where he worked on some of gaming’s most significant technical and creative achievements.