In 1991 one man coded for 28 hours straight without sleep.
What he created impacted four generations and changed America forever.
Now, John Carmack is tackling humanity's biggest challenge:
Artificial General Intelligence.
How a computer nerd is shaping the future of humanity:
At Softdisk in 1991, John Carmack embarked on a legendary 28-hour coding marathon.
No breaks. No sleep.
Just focus and determination.
During this session, he implemented Binary Space Partitioning (BSP) - a revolutionary technique for rendering 3D environments...
This marathon would birth the DOOM engine and change gaming forever.
DOOM wasn't just another game––it transformed pixels into immersive worlds.
The engine created the illusion of 3D space while operating on a 2D plane.
But what made it so revolutionary?
The DOOM engine introduced variable lighting, non-orthogonal walls, and height differences.
These features are basic today, but mind-blowing in 1993.
It was so advanced that other developers licensed it before DOOM's release.
By 1995, DOOM had taken the world by storm:
It was installed on more computers than Microsoft's Windows 95.
A game created by a small team, led by a programmer who worked in 28-hour bursts.
They had outpaced the world's largest software company.
But Carmack wasn't satisfied with just changing gaming...
In 1997, Carmack did something unprecedented - he released DOOM's source code.
When companies jealously guarded their technology, he simply gave it away.
This act sparked an open-source revolution in gaming:
Thousands of developers studied his code, learning techniques that shaped their careers.
But Carmack's influence extended far beyond gaming.
His techniques found applications in VR, computer-aided design, and scientific visualization.
His impact was becoming exponential...
Still not content with revolutionizing software, Carmack aimed higher.
In 2000, he founded Armadillo Aerospace, applying software principles to rocketry.
His team conducted over 100 rocket tests and won NASA's Lunar Lander Challenge in 2008, earning $350,000 in prize money.
At Oculus VR (2013-2019), Carmack's genius for low-latency rendering helped solve major VR technical hurdles.
His focus on reducing motion-to-photon latency and improving frame rates was crucial in minimizing VR sickness.
He wasn't just building games - he was creating new realities...
Then in 2022, Carmack launched his most ambitious project.
Keen Technologies.
With $20M in funding, he's now pursuing Artificial General Intelligence.
Machines that understand, learn, and apply knowledge across domains like humans.
This isn't just another startup.
It's a moonshot for humanity.
Partnering with Richard Sutton, a renowned expert in reinforcement learning, Carmack brings his practical mindset to the theoretical world of AGI.
His approach?
The same iterative problem-solving that made him successful in gaming and VR.
Rapid prototyping. Continuous testing. Results.
Carmack predicts a 60% chance of clear signs of AGI by 2030.
This isn't just optimism - it's based on decades of pushing boundaries...
He envisions AGI systems revolutionizing scientific research, healthcare, education, and creative arts.
The stakes couldn't be higher.
Carmack's journey shows the impact one determined mind can have.
Four generations of technology bear his fingerprints:
• Gaming
• Aerospace
• Open source
• Virtual reality
And now, potentially, AGI.
What fascinates me about Carmack is his methodical approach to innovation.
At my startup Naamche, I've led tech teams through intense development cycles (we call them "tiger sprints").
I've seen how the right mindset transforms potential into impact.
The key?
High talent density with freedom to innovate.
With my team, I apply similar principles:
• Sharing knowledge openly
• Setting audacious deadlines
• Maintaining technical excellence
• Building with speed and purpose
These helped us ship the AI-powered platform @ClaireAIAgent in just two months.
Technical leadership needs more than knowing the latest frameworks.
It requires an environment where innovation thrives.
Where engineers can tap into "Carmack mode" to create breakthroughs...
Follow me @saramshadotel for insights on:
• AI technology trends
• Building teams that ship
• Creating innovation-friendly cultures
Let's shape the future together.
About me:
From coding AI in Kathmandu to becoming Nepal's first founder acquired by a NASDAQ company (reAlpha: $AIRE).
Passionate about empowering engineers to build great products & seeing teams unlock their potential with AI.
Great teams make magic happen.
Video credits (YouTube):
Lex Fridman: John Carmack: Doom, Quake, VR, AGI, Programming, Video Games, and Rockets | Lex Fridman Podcast #309
RetroAndGaming: DOOM For Windows 95
ThePrimeTime: The Beauty Of Doom 3 Source Code
Wes Roth: John Carmack | AGI by 2030 | Will John Carmack's AI company be the one to make it?
