Official versions of Doom

Doom is one of the most widely ported video games in the first-person shooter genre: starting with the original MS-DOS version (released as shareware on December 10, 1993), it has been released officially for a number of computer operating systems, video game consoles, handheld game consoles, and other devices.

Once Doom's source code was released into the public under the terms of the GNU General Public License in 1997, several unofficial adaptations were created by fans for many others still.

Some of the ports are replications of the MS-DOS version, while others differ considerably, including modifications to creature design and game levels, with some ports even offering levels not included in the original version.

Personal computers

MS-DOS

Original version

Initial release on December 10, 1993 was MS-DOS only. Had 320x200 pixel resolution. Releases include:

• 1.0 (December 10, 1993) - Initial release. Internal program number reads v0.99.
• 1.1 (December 16, 1993) - Fixed some bugs in the 1.0 release.
• 1.2 (February 17, 1994) - Added support for modem play and new difficulty level called Nightmare.
• 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 were minor upgrades, available only to testers
• 1.666 (September 1994) - Contained improved network code and a new deathmatch version, called "Deathmatch 2.0". In addition, the Swastika pattern in episode 1, map 4 was altered.
• 1.9 - Final release.

Ultimate Doom

On April 30, 1995, an extended version of the game was released, called Ultimate Doom, which contains an additional episode, "Thy Flesh Consumed", in addition to the original three episodes.

NEXTSTEP

This was actually the version that the MS-DOS product emerged from, since at the time Id software was using a NeXT cube for its graphic-engine development. This version is sluggish on anything below an 040 NeXTstation/cube (the more memory the better), and is missing sound, which was added on the PC side. With NeXT-Step based on i486 architecture, it ran smoothly under all conditions up to screen sizes of 400% with newer hardware. The version running on NeXT is 1.2, programmed by John Carmack, John Romero, and Dave Taylor.^{[citation needed]}

IRIX

Doom was ported to IRIX during the summer of 1994 by Dave D. Taylor. It was designed to run on IRIX 5.2 and later. IRIX Doom was originally based on the unreleased MS-DOS version 1.5, though later updates were based on versions 1.6 and 1.8. No effort was made to take advantage of SGI's advanced graphics hardware, and like many other ports the game was rendered entirely in software.

Solaris

Doom was ported to Solaris in late 1994, and was designed to run with game files from Doom 1.8. In the readme, the port is credited to "Dave Taylor and the rest of the folks at id Software." It runs on Solaris 2.4 and later. The distribution contained two versions: one for regular X11, and another for Sun DGA.^{[citation needed]}

Mac OS

The Ultimate Doom, Doom II and Final Doom were ported by Lion Entertainment and released by GT Interactive using a Mac OS launcher application to run original PC WADs. The Mac version officially only runs on System 7 through Mac OS 9 and requires a 68040 or PowerPC processor; although it can run in Classic under Mac OS X on Power Macs, Panther and Tiger cause graphic artifacts due to the later version of Classic having a double-buffered screen. In addition to an adjustable viewport, it supports rendering at low or high resolutions, and allows network play over AppleTalk as well as IPX.

Linux

Doom was ported to Linux by id Software programmer Dave Taylor in 1994. The last Linux Doom binaries were provided by id Software on October 13, 1996 through the company's ftp-server.

The source code to the Linux version of Doom was released by id Software on December 23, 1997 under a non-profit End user license agreement, it was re-released on October 2, 1999 under the terms of the GNU General Public License. The source code to the MS-DOS and Windows versions of the game was not released. This was due to copyright issues concerning the sound library used by original MS-DOS version and id Software having no access to the source code of the Windows port by Microsoft.

Microsoft Windows

The first official version of Doom for Windows was released by the name Doom 95, on August 20, 1996. It was compatible with Windows 95 and up, and was able to use WADs from the MS-DOS versions. It also allowed users to set up multiplayer games much easier than in DOS. It was included with Final Doom.

Later, in 2001, Doom Collector's Edition was released, containing The Ultimate Doom, Doom II and Final Doom. It was re-released on January 1, 2004 with added preview content for Doom 3. Some early versions of Doom 3 included the Collector's Edition and a small demon figurine as a bonus. The BFG Edition of Doom 3, released on October 15, 2012 includes Doom as well as Doom II.

Acorn RISC OS

Doom was officially released for the Acorn Risc PC by R-Comp Interactive in 1998. Within a few months, a significantly enhanced version was delivered as an update called Doom+. That version also runs on the older Acorn Archimedes computers and, apart from speed improvements, adds several features not present in the original DOS release. It was made available including Doom, Doom II, The Ultimate Doom, the Master Levels and approximately 3000 user levels released into the Public Domain.

Consoles

Atari Jaguar

The Jaguar version was published by Atari and was released on November 28, 1994. Though the first console port of Doom, this version has more levels than the SNES and 32X versions, and as many levels as the 3DO and GBA versions. It features 22 of the PC version's 27 levels, though many of them are simplified, plus 2 new levels (the levels titled "Tower of Babel" and "Hell Keep" are not the same as the PC levels of the same names). Unlike the SNES, 32X, and 3DO versions, the game display occupies the full screen. The levels use more complex lighting effects but have less variation in floor depth and ceiling height. It lacks the Cyberdemon, the Spider Mastermind and the Spectre. It is compatible with the JagLink 2-console networking device for 2 players to play a deathmatch. The Jaguar version does not have any music during gameplay, but plays the familiar title theme and intermission music with new instruments. Game settings and progress through the levels are saved automatically, and the player can start a new game anywhere up to the last level reached. Instead of having to cycle through the weapons selection, the player can select a weapon by pressing its corresponding button on the controller's number pad.

Sega 32X

The 32X version of Doom was published and developed by Sega and was released on November 21, 1994. Features portions of the first two episodes but none of episode 3. This version lacks a multiplayer mode, does not play in a full screen, and only has the front sprites for the monsters. 10 levels are missing from the original version(twice as many missing levels as any other version of the game). Oddly, a DOS prompt shows up after the credits roll if the player finishes the game either using cheats or starting from any level other than level 1, locking up the game. Similarly, the secret level can't be accessed if said conditions aren't met. Because there is no episode 3, the BFG 9000 can only be obtained through the use of cheats. Due to extremely poor use of the Genesis YM2612 sound chip, this version's soundtrack is noticeably inferior to that of other versions and many sound effects are also missing. As with most mid-90s console ports, the levels come from the Atari Jaguar's version. The game does not feature the Cyberdemon, the Spider Mastermind or the Spectre. There is no way to save games or settings, although there is a level select option that allows the player to start on any of the first fifteen levels.

In 1995 this version of the game was scored a 30 out of 40 by Famicom Tsūshin.

PlayStation

The PlayStation version of the game was published and developed by Williams Entertainment and released in 1995. It is almost certainly the best selling version of the game after the PC original. It was re-released several times, first on the Greatest Hits range in the US, which requires that games have sold at least 150,000 copies there, and on the Platinum Range in PAL regions, which indicates that it sold over 600,000 copies in those territories.

Changes from the PC original include the removal of the Nightmare difficulty level, and the fact that progress is saved via passwords (given at the end of each level). The passwords also save ammo and health stats, but the numbers for them are rounded. This conversion features almost all the levels from the final releases of the PC version, though edited much like the Jaguar and 32X versions, plus both the levels designed for the Jaguar version, six new levels designed by the Midway team, five levels from Ultimate Doom's fourth episode, and most of the levels from Doom II. Unlike the other 1990s Doom ports, all the enemies from the PC version are included. However, the Arch-Vile monster from Doom II is not present; according to one of the game's designers, Harry Teasley, this was because he had twice as many frames as any other monster, and the team felt that they "just couldn't do him justice" on the PlayStation. There is, however, one new monster, The Nightmare Spectre. According to Teasley, this was included to add variety, and to take advantage of the PlayStation's capabilities. Two-player deathmatch or co-operative is available on the PlayStation if two consoles are linked using the original 'Serial I/O' port, and each console has its own controller and Doom CD inserted.

Many textures were reduced in size due to technical limitations. As a result, the mug shot appears to be different from the original one found in the PC version; in fact, it is the same animated sprite, but squashed in from the sides. A small selection of new graphics and visual effects were introduced. These include sector-based coloured lighting, an animated, flame-filled sky, and a new animation for the player's mug shot, which shows the Doomguy's head exploding if the player is gibbed. For the first time, translucent Spectres are drawn without the cascade effect (including the darker-shaded Nightmare Spectres). The original music by Bobby Prince was replaced by a new score by Aubrey Hodges. The sound effects and voice-overs were also completely redone by Hodges, and in certain parts of the level, echo effects were added. All story text is cut, save the ending and second intermission from Doom II, the latter of which appears at the end of Ultimate Doom instead.

Later, a port containing levels from Master Levels and Final Doom would be released for the PlayStation as well, under the name Final Doom.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

The Super Nintendo version was published and developed by Williams Entertainment and was released in September 1995. The cartridge features a Super FX 2 chip, and was one of few SNES games to feature a colored cartridge: Doom came in a red cartridge in the USA; in Europe it came either in black or the standard grey cartridge; and the Australian version had red, black, and gray.

SNES Doom features all five PC version levels that were missing from the Jaguar version, but is missing a different set of five levels instead, and like the 32X version, does not have any console-only levels. The levels included resemble the PC levels moreso than other ports. Also like the 32X version, the player's heads-up display doesn't utilize the whole screen, and enemies are only animated from the front, which means that they always face the player. This renders monster infighting impossible, although it is possible for monsters of the same type to damage each other with projectiles. The floors and ceilings are also not texture mapped. This game also lacks a back-up system, meaning that each episode must be finished from the beginning. Multiplayer was only available if a player bought an XBAND modem. It also features the Cyberdemon and Spider Mastermind monsters that the Atari Jaguar and Sega 32X versions lack, but does not include the Specter enemy (replaced with regular Demon monsters). The game's frame-rate is noticeably lower than most ports. Episode 2 cannot be played on the "I'm Too Young to Die" and "Hey, Not So Rough" difficulties, and episode 3 can only be played on "Ultra-Violence" and "Nightmare" difficulty.

The automap display takes advantage of the rotating and scaling of the Super FX chip, with the entire map spinning around the player's position rather than the player being portrayed with an arrow. Due to system limitations, no particles such as blood impacts, smoke or bullet sparks are present - indeed, the shotgun does not fire seven individual shots as normal, but rather functions something like a hunting rifle. This allows a player to shoot (and be shot) from a distance using the shotgun with no decrease in power. Moreover, the player's chaingun is now capable of single fire (although emptying one's bullet stock still produces a doubled sound effect).

3DO Interactive Multiplayer

The 3DO version was published by 3DO and developed by Art Data Interactive, with assistance from Logicware, and was released in 1996. Features the same level set as the Atari Jaguar version, as well as the same auto-save feature, but lacks the multiplayer mode. This version runs in a small screen at a low frame rate, though it includes the option to shrink the screen size even further, which allows the game to run faster. Lacks effects found in other versions but has an updated soundtrack that features remixed and original music. The Spectre Demon (which is absent from the Jaguar, SNES, and 32X versions) is included, but Cyberdemons and Spider Masterminds are missing.

Sega Saturn

Based on the PlayStation version, Doom was ported to the Sega Saturn by Rage Software and published by GT Interactive in 1997.

Though containing the same levels, enemies, structures, sounds effects and most of the music from the PlayStation version, this port suffers a number of differences and setbacks; the 3D animation is slower and choppier, the echoed sound effects and sector-based lighting are missing, the Specter and Nightmare Specter demons do not have the translucent textures and instead are drawn in see-through sprites of regular Demon enemies, and the animated fiery skyline in certain levels is gone, usually replaced with Doom II's city skyline.

This version is compatible with the Saturn mouse. However, the mouse cannot be used to strafe, access the automap, or manually change weapons (though as in all versions of Doom, the player character automatically equips a weapon when he first acquires it and switches to a different weapon if his current one is depleted of ammunition).

The packaging for the US release contains a few errors, such as the game screen shots on the back actually being from the PC port of Final Doom, and its claim to be "deathmatch ready", when it in fact is only one player (the deathmatch and cooperative mode are only found in the Japanese and PAL releases).

The Japanese release of the game has a smoother frame rate (though still considerably lower than that of the PlayStation version) with less slowing down and choppiness, and includes the deathmatch mode.

Nintendo 64

Main article: Doom 64

Doom 64, published and developed by Midway Games and released in 1997, was a drastic departure from other Doom ports in that it is somewhat a sequel to Doom II. The plot concerns the space marine from the original games returning to Mars to stem the tide of a demon invasion. The sprite graphics were redrawn using higher resolution 3D renders, and entirely new maps were used, as well as a new weapon, the Unmaker. Aubrey Hodges, who had rescored the PlayStation ports of Doom and Final Doom, provided a new soundtrack. The sound effects used in the PlayStation version were reused. There are two new enemies (the Nightmare Imp and Mother Demon) but Chaingunners, Arch-Villes, Revenants and Spiderdemons are all omitted from this version. Around this time, (possibly after disappointing sales of the Super NES port of Mortal Kombat) Nintendo had started to curtail its censorship of games, so Doom 64 contained more violent and graphic/bloody content than the SNES port. Because of the different setting, levels, graphics, and music this version is not a full port of either Doom or Doom II, but rather a new third game using the same gameplay.

Game Boy Advance

The Game Boy Advance version of Doom was developed by David A. Palmer Productions and was released on November 5, 2001, and featured a level set identical to the Jaguar version, as the engine is actually a port of it.

The Game Boy Advance version of Doom II was developed by Torus Games and was released on November 8, 2002. It featured all the levels in Doom II, with the Industrial Zone and The Chasm levels actually being two separate stages.

Both GBA ports feature the same multiplayer functionality as the PC version. These were the first ports of Doom on a handheld device. Both Doom and Doom II received a much larger amount of censoring than other ports (monsters bleed green instead of red, and monster corpses disappear a few seconds after initial death; in both secret levels for Doom II, swastika flags and walls were replaced by stylized double-headed eagles reminiscent of Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Adolf Hitler's picture art was replaced by Wilhelm Strasse's picture art; no bleeding of the status bar face), and, because of this, received a Teen rating by the ESRB.

Xbox

The collector's edition of Doom 3, released in 2005, features ports of The Ultimate Doom and Doom II, including two new levels, "Sewers" and "Betray". They feature the same multiplayer as the PC version, however not through Xbox Live. All the PC levels for both games are included; however, the 8 console-only levels which appeared on the Jaguar, PlayStation, Saturn, and 3DO versions are omitted. This port was programmed by Vicarious Visions. The expansion pack "Resurrection of Evil" also contained The Ultimate Doom and Doom II, as well as Master Levels for Doom II.

Xbox 360

On September 27, 2006, Doom was released for download on the Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360. The game has all 4 episodes plus online Deathmatch and Co-op through Xbox Live. Like the Xbox version, it does not include the 8 console-only levels which appeared on earlier ports. Supports 11 screen sizes, and has higher graphics resolution than any earlier console port. Due to a bug, the music plays at a slow speed. This port, programmed by Nerve Software, also credits Vicarious Visions and likely shares code with the Xbox version. There are no cheats within this game.

In 2010, the game was pulled from the Xbox Live Marketplace because Activision, the game's publisher, no longer has the rights to maintain the game on the Marketplace, but as of January 20, 2012, it has now been republished by Bethesda Softworks, the same company that published the Xbox Live Arcade version of Doom II: Hell on Earth.

PlayStation 3

Doom 3: BFG Edition contains all four episodes of Doom, as well as Doom II. Later, Doom Classic Complete was released on the Playstation Network which includes Doom, Doom II, Final Doom, and the Master Levels, the last two appearing for the first time in their entirety on a console.

Other devices

Tapwave Zodiac

An official version of Doom II was released in 2004 for the Tapwave Zodiac, as well as a source port that requires the original Doom WADs. The official version includes all 32 levels from the original PC version, along with all the original enemies, music, weapons, etc. It also retains the option of switching between nine different screen sizes, including one which expands the first person view to fill the entire screen, and is the first console version of Doom to include respawning monsters in "Nightmare" difficulty mode. It does not support multiplayer.

iPhone and iPod Touch

In addition to the source ports available for "jailbroken" iPhone OS devices, an official id Software port has been made and is available in App Store. It was programmed with oversight from Doom creator John Carmack, who had previous experience from an earlier port of Wolfenstein 3D to the iPhone. It featured Wi-Fi and Bluetooth multiplayer, which was removed in a later update, and is planned to support DLC. This port features all the levels, weapons, enemies, and sounds from the original game, and Carmack claims it to be one of the few ports of Doom that was designed to be completely functional in its new hardware environment. It is based on PrBoom.

See also

• Doom source ports

External links

• Interview with Harry Teasley (1998) by Doomworld
• An in-depth comparison of console, handheld and computer Doom games
• Doom at MobyGames
• Timeline of Doom games development article at the Doom Wiki
• Commercial ports and addons article at the Doom Wiki
• Source ports article at the Doom Wiki