Warnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game needs a fix to work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later (see API for details).
This page is for the original release. For the BFG Edition, see Doom 3: BFG Edition.
Key points
- EAX support suffers from frequent visual glitches.
- The game does not properly recognize the available VRAM on modern graphics cards, and as such forces the game to use lower image quality settings. See Textures are low-resolution, even on Ultra quality to resolve.
General information
- Doom Wiki
- Steam Community Discussions
- Steam Community Discussions for Resurrection of Evil expansion pack
Availability
- A faithful higher resolution icon for Windows can be downloaded from the Files section.
- DOOM 3 demo
DLC and expansion packs
Name |
Notes |
|
Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil |
Includes and requires Patch 1.2 |
|
Essential improvements
Patches
- Patch v1.3.1 updates retail versions to the latest version. Digital distribution versions are already patched.
Skip intro videos
Source ports
Name |
Description |
|
dhewm3 |
Aimed at bringing DOOM 3 to all suitable platforms with the help of SDL. Supports 64-bit, widescreen resolutions and uses OpenAL EFX for improved EAX support. |
|
fhDOOM |
Modernized source port of DOOM, featuring support for Widescreen resolutions, soft cascading shadows, soft-particles, extended graphics options and improved editor tools and more. |
|
- A series of bugfixes and QOL improvements for the original Doom 3 game and it's expansions Resurrection of Evil and The Lost Mission (optional)
- Active development.
- Compatible with dhewm3.
- Bugfixes and QOL without drastic changes to the game.
- Rebalanced Weapons and enemy AI.
Game data
In-game general settings.
Configuration file(s) location (Main title)
- This game does not follow the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux.
Save game data location (Main title)
- dhewm3:
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\dhewm3\base\savegames\
Configuration file(s) location (Expansion)
- This game does not follow the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux.
Save game data location (Expansion)
Video
In-game general video/audio settings.
In-game advanced video settings.
Edit DoomConfig.cfg[7]
|
- This method assumes you have the latest patch. It involves setting a game variable that did not exist in the earliest retail versions.
- Go to
<path-to-game>\base\ .
- Edit
DoomConfig.cfg .
- Find
seta r_customHeight "xxx" and seta r_customWidth "xxxx" . Change the x's to set your resolution.
- Find
seta r_mode "x" . Change the "x" to "-1".
- Find
seta r_aspectRatio "x" . If your screen aspect ratio is 16:9, change the "x" to "1". If your screen aspect ratio is 16:10 or 15:9, change the "x" to "2".
Notes
- If you cannot find any of these lines in your DoomConfig.cfg file, add them manually.
- These values can be set in the command console. Omit
seta when doing so, and use vid_restart to apply changes.
- HUD, menus, and FMV cutscenes are stretched.
|
Set FOV manually[8]
|
- Open the console with ~ (dhewm3) or Ctrl+Alt+~.
- Type in
g_fov X where X is the desired value (default 90 ).
Notes
- Alternatively, add the line
seta g_fov "X" in DoomConfig.cfg .
- In multiplayer,
g_fov can only be changed between 90 and 110.
|
- Anisotropic filtering scales with the "Video Quality" option.
Set AF manually[8]
|
- Open the console with ~ (dhewm3) or Ctrl+Alt+~.
- Type in
image_anisotropy X , where X is a value between 1-8.
- To apply new settings, type in
vid_restart to restart the renderer.
|
Uncap the frame rate[9]
|
- Install dhewm3.
- Open the console (~).
- Type in
com_fixedtic -1 .
Notes
- Can be set back with
com_fixedTic 0 .
|
Gamma
Set gamma manually[8]
|
- Open the console with ~ (dhewm3) or Ctrl+Alt+~.
- Type in
r_gamma X where X is the desired value (default 1 ).
|
Disable head bob
Disable head bob[10]
|
- Create
autoexec.cfg file in <path-to-game>\base .
- Add the following commands, and save the file.
seta pm_runbob "0"
seta pm_runpitch "0"
seta pm_runroll "0"
seta pm_walkbob "0"
seta pm_bobpitch "0"
seta pm_bobroll "0"
seta pm_bobup "0"
seta pm_crouchbob "0"
|
Enable plasma gun projectile shadows
Instructions[citation needed]
|
- Open
<path-to-game>\base\pak000.pk4 with 7-Zip or similar program.
- Go to
materials folder.
- Open
lights.mtr with Notepad++ or other text editor.
- Search for
plasmaglow , and delete the noshadows line under it.
- Save the changes.
|
Input
In-game key map settings.
Audio
Audio feature |
State |
Notes |
Separate volume controls |
|
|
Surround sound |
|
5.1 (software), 7.1 (EAX hardware accelerated)[11] |
Subtitles |
|
A CC/Subtitle mod is available here and its readme can be viewed here. Note that it is officially incompatible with the 1.3.1 patch but that can be worked around using this. This mod also seems to be incompatible with many other mods. |
Closed captions |
|
|
Mute on focus lost |
|
|
EAX support |
|
EAX 4[11] (Patch 1.3 and OpenAL required[12]). DirectSound otherwise.[13] |
Localizations
Language |
UI |
Audio |
Sub |
Notes |
English |
|
|
|
|
French |
|
|
|
|
German |
|
|
|
|
Italian |
|
|
|
|
Polish |
|
|
|
Only available in Polish retail release. Patch for digital release here. |
Russian |
|
|
|
Retail only. Patch for digital release here. |
Spanish |
|
|
|
|
Network
Multiplayer types
Connection types
Ports
Protocol |
Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
TCP |
27650, 27666 |
UDP |
27650, 27666 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
VR support
Issues unresolved
Visual twitch bug with OpenAL/EAX
Using OpenAL (seta s_useOpenAL "1" in DoomConfig.cfg), which was added with patch 1.3 and is automatically engaged when EAX is turned on, results in frequent visual twitching/screen shifting. It is currently unknown whether this happens on all configurations, but the problem persists in the latest patch. A video of the glitch in action can be seen here (0:07, 0:11).
For Audigy cards a fix has been reported in the form of running an old beta driver, however this is only applicable to this series of sound cards and Windows XP.[14]
Issues fixed
General
Textures are low-resolution, even on Ultra quality
Configuration Files[citation needed]
|
- 1. Go to
<path-to-game>/base/
- 2. Create a new file called
autoexec.cfg .
- 3. Add the following lines to the new
autoexec.cfg file:
seta r_renderer "best"
seta image_ignoreHighQuality "0"
seta image_downSizeBump "0"
seta image_downSizeSpecular "0"
seta image_usePrecompressedTextures "0"
seta image_useNormalCompression "0"
seta image_useCompression "0"
seta image_roundDown "0"
seta image_downSize "0"
seta image_lodbias "-2"
seta image_anisotropy "16"
seta image_filter "GL_LINEAR_MIPMAP_LINEAR"
seta com_purgeAll "1"
seta com_machineSpec "3"
seta com_allowConsole "1"
seta g_showBrass "1"
seta g_doubleVision "1"
seta g_bloodEffects "1"
seta g_projectileLights "1"
seta g_muzzleFlash "1"
- 4. Save the file.
|
Micro stuttering
Configuration Files[citation needed]
|
- 1. Add the following lines to the autoexec.cfg file:
seta r_swapInterval "1"
seta com_fixedTic "1"
- 2. Save the file and start the game.
- Doom 3's tickrate is capped at 60FPS.
com_fixedTic 1 removes the cap. r_swapinterval controls VSync.
- Speeds up game if running above 60hz.
|
Fix interface scaling
Configuration Files[citation needed]
|
Add the lines to autoexec.cfg or change it in DoomConfig.cfg :
seta gui_mediumFontLimit "0"
seta gui_smallFontLimit "0"
|
Performance improving for low-end systems
Configuration Files[citation needed]
|
- Open DoomConfig.cfg file
seta image_useCache "1"
- Set
image_cacheMegs to about 1/4 of your total system RAM.
- Set
image_cacheMinK = "image_cacheMegs" * 128
- Save the file and start the game.
- Assuming you have 1 GB of system RAM:
seta image_useCache "1" seta image_cacheMegs "256" seta image_cacheMinK "32768"
|
Mouse not working
Change Executable name[citation needed]
|
or
Wireless gaming mouse[citation needed]
|
- Set the mouse's rate to at least 250
|
Linux
Game won't launch correctly (Retail)
Remove the included libgcc_s.so.1 and libstdc++.so.6 from the installation folder[citation needed]
|
No Sound
Use the OSS wrapper for specific audio device[citation needed]
|
Specify the default audio output[citation needed]
|
- Open and edit the config file
- Find
seta s_alsa_pcm and replace default with the name of your ALSA audio output for example hw:0,0
- Save the file
|
Poor performance/"slow-motion" effect on Nvidia cards
Doom 3 and other id Tech 4 games seem to suffer from some sort of driver-related issue on modern Nvidia GPU's that causes the game to go into what appears to be a "slow-motion" phase during some intensive scenes, where the framerate technically remains the same but game logic is slowed down and negatively effects performance, and it persists even when using the Dhewm 3 sourceport or the microstutters fix. Luckily you can adjust your autoexec.cfg to correct many of not all of these issues.
If you're having performance issues like the ones mentioned above, reconfigure your autoexec.cfg file according to this guide
Other information
API
Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
OpenGL |
2.0 |
|
Executable | PPC |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
Windows | |
|
|
A source port is required for 64-bit. |
macOS (OS X) | | |
|
Intel support was added in a patch, but is 32-bit only.[15] A source port is required for 64-bit. |
Linux | | |
|
A source port is required for 64-bit. |
Middleware
Linux Installation
To install Doom 3 on Linux create a doom3 folder and then copy the following retail pk4 files to your doom3/base folder:
base/pak000.pk4
base/pak001.pk4
base/pak002.pk4
base/pak003.pk4
base/pak004.pk4
If installing the expansion pack you must also copy the following retail pk4 to your <path-to-game>/d3xp
folder:
:d3xp/pak000.pk4
After copying all pk4 files to your hard drive run the Linux patch and direct it to your doom3 folder. You can start the game with the command: doom3. To launch the expansion use: doom3 +set fs_game d3xp
For Arch Linux, two PKGBUILDs are available in the AUR for Doom 3; one that builds from source and one that provides a binary (if keeping to the Arch Way, you should prefer to build from source).
Mods
Doom 3 has a small, but very knowledgeable mod community that is still very active and covers most id tech based games.
Tools and Information
- Doom 3 World - An unofficial id tech community
- Modwiki - An unofficial id tech informational wiki created by members of Doom 3 World
- iddevnet - Official, but limited, Doom 3/Quake 4 informational site
Doom 3 Mod Lists
- CstDoom3 is a gameplay mod for Doom 3 and Resurrection of Evil.
- Adds widescreen HUD, adjustable FOV, Carmack's Reverse, grenades toggle, and more.
- For ATI/AMD video card users, see here for a fix.
- Adds the following features and improvements while retaining vanilla gameplay:
- Widescreen support and resolutions up to 4K using a custom build of Sikkmod.
- High resolution textures, menus, UI, and HUD.
- Improved audio design for enemies, audio logs, weapon sounds, and cutscenes.
- Features options for field of view, texture resolutions, anisotropic filtering, FXAA, motion blur, and screen blood.
- Restores cut content and alpha version features.
- Not available for Resurrection of Evil.
- A port of the BFG Edition campaign 'The Lost Mission' for 2004's Doom 3 release.
- Requires the Resurrection of Evil expansion pack.
- Active development.
- New maps based on the Doom 3: BFG Edition expansion pack.
- Currently not compatible with dhewm 3. Compatibility is still being worked on.[16]
- The Duct Tape Mod is a small patch for doom 3.
- Adds flashlight to all the guns except the pistol.
- Does not work with other mods like Redux.
- Alternative for Duct Tape Mod.
- Light is attached to the head.
- Works with all weapons.
- Weapons don't lose muzzleflash.
Co-op mod
- The OpenCoop Mod allows up to 4 players to play through the entire game + expansion pack together. Works both online and LAN.
It also adds in challenge maps, and 42 custom maps.
- Patch 1.3.1 is required for this mod.
Advanced tweaks
- It is possible to easily change many things in the game simply by modifying text files located in
<path-to-game>/base/pak000.pk4
(.pk4
files can be opened with 7-Zip or similar programs). Particularly the def
folder contains definitions of monster health, gun damage, ammunition amount and lots of other tweakable game values.
- TweakGuides has created a comprehensive guide for tweaking the game.
Cheats
Visit GameFAQs for list of cheats.
System requirements
Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
2000 |
XP |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium 4 1.5 GHz AMD Athlon XP 1500+ | |
System memory (RAM) |
384 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
2.2 GB | |
Video card (GPU) |
64 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0b compatible | |
- Windows 98 and ME have been tested to work with Doom 3 using this hack, but are not officially supported.
macOS (OS X) |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
10.6.8 | |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz | |
System memory (RAM) |
1 GB |
2 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
2 GB | |
Video card (GPU) |
ATI Radeon x1600 Nvidia GeForce 7300 128 MB of VRAM | |
Linux |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
2.4 kernel |
2.6 kernel |
Processor (CPU) |
1 GHz or higher | |
System memory (RAM) |
256 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
2.2 GB | |
Video card (GPU) |
OpenGL hardware acceleration 64 MB of VRAM | |
- Supported AMD Radeon chipsets: 8500, 9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800, X1600, X1900, 2400XT, 2600, 3870, 4670, 4850, 5670, 5750, 5770, 5870, 6630, 6750, 6970
- Supported Nvidia chipsets: GeForce 3/Ti series, GeForce 4MX series, GeForce 4/Ti series, GeForce FX series, GeForce 6800, 7300, 7600, 8600, 8800, 9400, 9600, GT 120, 320M, 330M
- The game supports Intel HD Graphics 3000 and greater
- The game does not support the GMA 950 and GMA X3100 integrated video chipsets
Notes
References