ABSTRACT
Before American McGee became a brand, he was just a normal guy. A normal guy who, at 21 years old, landed his dream job as a level designer for id Software, and got to contribute to Doom and Quake—games that set the direction of the industry for the next two decades and counting. As if working for id Software was not cool enough, part of his job required him to travel to New Orleans and hang out with rock stars. McGee is the first to admit that his tenure at id Software was not always pleasant. He will also readily admit that he has few regrets, if any. If it was not for Doom and Quake, he may never have worked with famed novelist Michael Crichton, bummed cigarettes off David Bowie backstage at a Nine Inch Nails concert, or seen his name turned into a brand with 2000’s American McGee’s Alice.
