Tim Willits is the lead designer and co-owner of id Software.
Willits was listed 10th in the top 10 level designers of all time, according to Doomworld's 5 years of doom.
Biography
Willits is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and a former member of the University of Minnesota Army ROTC program. Willits was the battalion cadet-command sergeant major (C/CSM) during his junior year and attended ROTC Advanced Camp at Fort Lewis, Washington during the summer between his junior and senior years of college. After an injury during the summer, Willits completed two rotations, being assigned to both the first and seventh cadet regiments during that summer. He held the rank of cadet-major (C/MAJ) during his senior year and was assigned as the battalion training officer.
Willits worked with Rogue Entertainment on Strife from March to December, 1995.[1] He joined id Software the same year after impressing them with his Empire and Raven series of Doom PWADs. Willits contributed E4M5: They Will Repent and E4M9: Fear to The Ultimate Doom. He would later contribute Attack and Canyon to the Master Levels for Doom II expansion pack.
Many of his levels were designed along with his sister, Theresa Chasar.
Willits also worked on Quake, Quake II, Quake III Arena, Quake III: Team Arena , and Doom 3, also developed by id Software.
Doom: Mercury Rising
Tim Willits is a minor, yet tragically significant character appearing in the Doom expanded universe lore, Doom: Mercury Rising campaign. Tim is known as the ill-fated assistant to Marcus Caseon.
Willits is initially referenced as an unofficial passenger during Operation Oversight’s 23rd mission, accompanying Dr Caseon at the Petipa Docks. Although a smart and resourceful individual—traits highly valued for the Mars Relocation program—he was ultimately rejected by the UAC Security team (governed by an unforgiving AI) as he was not on the manifest. Dr Caseon’s desperate attempts to prove some unclear (but surely nonexistent) familial ties with his assistant were quickly dismissed, leaving Willits stranded at Petipa while the other members of the group, including his boss, began their transit.
Alone, disheartened, and advised to head to the Northern Rail to either find temporary work or reapply for the Mars transfer, Willits begins a journey through the desolate plain back to the north with the marine squad that had secured them. His final message sent to his sister, Theresa Chasar abruptly cuts off as the transport wagon he is travelling in suffers a catastrophic crash. The log captures his final moments of terror as he witnesses a scene of carnage—bleeding, sarcophagus-like containers, injured people, and the sudden, terrifying appearance of a "flying thing" that begins to "change people."
Sorry Tess, I couldn't make it! (Audio log excerpt) "It didn't work, sis! Doc tried everything with security, but they didn't let me through as his assistant. I must stay for now. ... The soldiers who escorted us promised they'll help me get north. I will write again once I reach the Northern Rail. I love you! Audio log continuation: ...s Tim Willits. The wagon has crashed. ..."
The fate of Tim Willits and the outcome of his terrifying encounter are unknown and can only be fully revealed by exploring the campaign of Doom: Mercury Rising and are further detailed in the UAC Personnel page.
Gallery
Trivia
- Willits was referenced in the Doom movie as Dr. Willits.
- Quake III Arena is his favorite game.[1]
