What Game Inspired Doom? Unveiling the Genesis of a First-Person Shooter Legend
The question of what inspired the groundbreaking video game Doom is multifaceted, and the answer isn’t a simple one. While Wolfenstein 3D is often cited as a key influence and a technical predecessor, Doom was not solely inspired by one game. Instead, it’s a blend of inspirations from multiple sources, including games, movies, and even tabletop role-playing, that coalesce to create the brutal and iconic shooter we know today. Ultimately, Doom’s primary inspiration stems from a desire for creative freedom, and a specific vision crafted by the id Software team.
The Influence of Dungeons & Dragons, Evil Dead II, and Aliens
The core concept of Doom emerged from the minds of John Carmack and the team at id Software. The team was heavily influenced by their own Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, which instilled a sense of battling hordes of fantastical creatures. This experience led to the concept of a game where technology was used to fight demons.
The stylistic direction for this demon-slaying shooter was heavily influenced by the horror-comedy film Evil Dead II and the sci-fi action of Aliens. Evil Dead II’s over-the-top gore and frantic action blended with Aliens’ technologically advanced weaponry and the setting of fighting hordes of creatures made for a potent combination. John Carmack himself, conceptualized combining these styles to create something unique and intensely visceral.
A Scrapped Adaptation of Aliens
Interestingly, Doom was initially conceived as a video game adaptation of Aliens (1986). However, this idea was ultimately scrapped to provide the developers with more creative license and to ensure they were not constricted by the intellectual property of another franchise. This decision allowed id Software to craft its own unique universe and gameplay, leading to the birth of the Doom we know and love.
Wolfenstein 3D: A Precursor, Not the Sole Inspiration
While not the inspiration for the thematic elements of Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, released in 1992 by id Software, is crucial to understanding its technical foundation. Wolfenstein 3D is often credited with popularizing the first-person shooter genre, providing a rudimentary template for level design, character movement, and the basic mechanics of a first-person shooter. Though some might think that this makes Wolfenstein 3D the inspiration for Doom, it is more correct to state that it is one of the stepping stones that helped Doom to become a reality. Doom was the game that truly popularized the genre and cemented it as a major force in gaming.
The Drive for Creative Freedom and Innovation
Ultimately, the driving force behind Doom was a desire to innovate and create something entirely new. While taking influences from other games and films, it’s important to note that Doom transcended these inspirations to become something revolutionary. The developers at id Software had a specific vision for a fast-paced, intense, and brutal first-person shooter, and they were committed to bringing that vision to life. The combination of innovative technology, the fast-paced action, and the sheer creativity helped launch Doom into the history books.
The legacy of Doom is cemented in the minds of gamers, the gaming industry, and continues to inspire future generations of game designers. The ability to take inspiration from multiple sources to create something completely new and engaging is a prime example of the innovation that continues to push video games into the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Doom’s Inspirations
1. Was Doom inspired by Alien?
Yes, in its initial stages, Doom was planned to be a video game adaptation of Aliens (1986). However, this idea was scrapped to give the developers at id Software more creative freedom.
2. Was Doom based on Wolfenstein?
While they share a developer (id Software) and a similar first-person perspective, Doom is not directly “based on” Wolfenstein. Wolfenstein 3D did, however, pave the way for Doom technically as a first-person shooter and helped pave the way for the genre. There are also some easter eggs linking them within the story, with Doomguy being hinted at as a descendant of B.J. Blazcowitz
3. What game is considered the predecessor to Doom?
Wolfenstein 3D is often credited with introducing the first-person shooter genre. Though it is technically not the very first 3D game, it is one of the most important in the establishment of first-person shooters.
4. What is Doom’s main genre?
Doom is a first-person shooter game, characterized by its fast-paced action, brutal combat, and maze-like level design.
5. When was the original Doom released?
The original Doom was released on December 10, 1993. The first few levels had been available for some time before that.
6. Who programmed the original Doom?
Doom was primarily programmed in the ANSI C language by John Carmack, with elements in assembly language on NeXT computers running the NeXTSTEP operating system.
7. What is the backstory of the original Doom?
Doom takes place in the year 2149, in a research facility on Mars owned by the Union Aerospace Corporation (UAC). An experiment with teleportation technology unleashes a horde of demons from Hell, and the lone Doomguy is tasked with fighting them.
8. How old is Doomguy?
Doomguy’s age is ambiguous, though based on in-game testaments it has been hinted that he is potentially very old, having survived for eons. Some accounts suggest anywhere from 500ish years to an almost endless number of years due to the timeline changes that occur in the game’s story.
9. Was Doom based on religion?
Thematically, Doom is not based on any specific religion. Its core story is about a lone figure battling demons purely to slaughter them, without a higher purpose.
10. What other games are similar to Doom?
Fans of Doom can explore other first-person shooters like F.E.A.R., Wolfenstein: The New Order, Dusk, Ion Fury, Ghostrunner, Ultrakill, Soldier Of Fortune 2, Postal 2, Hell Let Loose, and Unreal Tournament: Game Of The Year Edition.
11. What made Doom so influential?
Doom revolutionized PC gaming with its advanced graphics, networking technology, fast-paced gameplay, and unique style. It set a new standard for first-person shooters and influenced the entire industry.
12. What is the sequel to the original Doom called?
The sequel to Doom (1993) is called Doom II: Hell on Earth.
13. What does the name “Doom” mean?
The name “Doom” was inspired by a scene in the movie The Color of Money, where Tom Cruise’s character simply replies “Doom” when asked what he has in his cue case. The name was not intended to have an inherent meaning or story tie-in at the time.
14. Is the original Doom violent?
Yes, the original Doom contains frequent depictions of bloody violence and gore, though its pixelated graphics are less graphic than later installments. However, it was considered very gory and violent at the time.
15. Is Doom Eternal the first Doom?
No, Doom Eternal is the sequel to Doom (2016), and the seventh game in the Doom series. The 2016 game, sometimes called Doom but Doom (2016) to differentiate it from the original game, is a reboot to the series and is often treated as such.