Slashdot Mirror

There are about a bajillion updated ports of doom that run on modern hardward, you know.

I recommend Zdoom since it strikes a nice blend between new features and fidelity to the original Doom's graphics and sound.

You may prefer one of the ports that swaps out the "billboard sprites" in the original with 3d models, such as Jdoom. There are also packs of high-resolution textures for the id episodes, which come in handy since the newer ports support the same resolutions as your operating system.

Also of note is Zdaemon, based on Zdoom, which allows for 16 player client/server deathmatch or 4 player co-op.

Unless you miss the bugs, I don't see why you would play Doom under an emulator instead of using a ported engine.

I usually play Doom online via ZDaemon.

Doom's major contribution to the genre was not "3d" or "FPS", but DEATHMATCH. So ubiquitous it's become a generic term for a PvP match in an FPS, most don't realize that this term, and mode of gameplay, originated in Doom. On-line multiplayer FPS (via BBSes) began with Doom and the SrDoom add-on.

And Doom's implementation is still superior in fun-factor to most modern FPSes. Don't believe me? Download a copy of zdaemon and find out the noobs have been missing.

You may like this then

Almost ironically though, id software continue to rake in the cash for their 15 year old game - despite it being 'open source'.

Many source ports have developed over the years but are still obliged to point users to id's shop to purchase the game wad files (graphics, maps, that sort of stuff). As a marketing tactic, going open source has certainly extended Dooms shelf life but it is rather devious to say the least.

Doom (Doom 1 & 2, not 3) is still played. Check out, for example, http://www.zdaemon.org/. A DooM port converted to more modern netcode, but the oldschool DM and co-op gameplay is practically identical. (New stuff such as CTF is also available, but many people don't even play that.)

So Doom is still around, and still presumably "cool". The only reason why "you gotta be a bit more creative" is if you want to sell new games to people instead of the old games that they already have, or could buy cheaply. And since the gameplay of the old ones is good enough to make people very happy, the only reason you can persuade them to buy a new game is putting your creativity into the engine, not the gameplay.

You can right now. There have been ports of Doom1/2 that have let you play just as easily as you play Quake for some time now. Zdaemon is but one of many.

there are still a lot of people playing plain doom on the internet

Check out http://www.zdaemon.org/ and join in on the fun! :) Imagine Gamespy for Doom and you'll get the idea

zdoom and zdaemon are less bloated than doom legacy and are generally better.

ZDaemon. Trust me, Doom II Deathmatch (and CTF(!)) is far from dead.

Check this out: good stuff, client-server port of zdoom, still actively maintained. Very nice. ZDaemon

via Zdaemon its a blast even after all these years Doom is still the king of FPS even after all these years.