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Doom (1993)

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Template:Infobox game/row/macporterTemplate:Infobox game/row/linporter
Doom (1993)
Doom (1993) cover
Developers
id Software
Publishers
GT Interactive
id Software
Engines
id Tech 1
Release dates
DOS December 10, 1993
Mac OS (Classic) November 4, 1994
Linux 1994
Windows August 20, 1996
Doom (1993) guide on StrategyWiki
Doom (1993) on Wikipedia
Doom (1993) 1993
Doom II: Hell on Earth 1994
Final Doom 1996
DRL (unofficial game) 2002
Doom 3 2004
Doom 64 EX (unofficial port) 2008
Doom 3: BFG Edition 2012
Doom (2016) 2016
Doom VFR 2017
Doom I Enhanced 2020
Doom II Enhanced 2020
Doom Eternal 2020
Doom 64 2020

This page is for the original game. For the 2016 game, see Doom (2016).

Key points

The engine was made open source in 1997.[1]

General information

Doom Wiki
Doomworld — A major fansite for the series
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
DRM-free
Regular or The Ultimate Doom.
DOS
Mac OS
Windows
Amazon.com
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
The Ultimate Doom. Pre-configured to run with DOSBox v0.74 (included in download).
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
The Ultimate Doom. Pre-configured to run with DOSBox v0.71 (included in download). Can be played without Steam.
Windows
A shareware episode is also available (comes with the first episode, "Knee-Deep in the Dead").
The shareware IWAD can be downloaded separately from the main release (to be used with source ports).

Version differences

The Ultimate Doom is an updated version of the original Doom that features a new fourth episode, Thy Flesh Consumed. All digital distribution releases carry The Ultimate Doom.

Alpha and Beta releases

A list of all alpha, beta, and shareware versions of the game can be found at Doomworld Shareware section. Details about each alpha and beta release can be found both on The Page of Doom and the Doom Wiki. Note that the .WAD files available in the alphas and beta are not compatible with any Doom source port.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
The Lost Episodes of Doom Unofficial commercial expansion released on floppy. Not available digitally.[2]
DOS

Essential improvements

Patches

All patches for the retail versions of Doom (as well as Doom II: Hell on Earth and Final Doom) can be found here. The retail versions of the original Doom can be upgraded to The Ultimate Doom through patches.

novert

When using the keyboard and mouse configuration in Doom or similar games on DOS or through DOSBox, vertical mouse movement causes the player to move forward and back, which can make mouse aiming difficult. novert is a DOS TSR that disables vertical mouse movement to prevent unnecessary player movement.

Automating novert in DOSBox[3]
  1. Download novert from Doomworld here, then extract novert.com from the zip file to where the game's executable is located, usually found under <path-to-game>.
  2. Open the *.conf file that launches the game in DOSBox with a text editor (e.g. Notepad, Notepad++), search for the [Autoexec] section, then add the command novert.com above the line with the game's executable. An example of using this command can be seen below.
  3. Save the changes in the *.conf file and then run the game. You should be to use the mouse to aim without moving forward and back.
MOUNT C "."
C:
novert.com
DOOM.EXE -config MOUSE.CFG

Source ports

Since the release of the source code, several modified engines have emerged.

<td class="table-source-ports-body-OS" data-sort-value=" Renderers available: Software.
Limit-removing source port that has features such as high resolutions and all-new editing features for modders. Most mods are designed around ZDoom's features. Uses a software renderer which could cause some incompatibility issues with mods that use special effects reliant on OpenGL like Brutal Doom. No longer in development by the original developer.[4] ">Renderers available: Software.
Limit-removing source port that has features such as high resolutions and all-new editing features for modders. Most mods are designed around ZDoom's features. Uses a software renderer which could cause some incompatibility issues with mods that use special effects reliant on OpenGL like Brutal Doom. No longer in development by the original developer.[4] <td class="table-source-ports-body-OS" data-sort-value=" Renderers available: Software, OpenGL.
Based on the same code as ZDoom, except it also uses an OpenGL renderer. Nearly every mod should work with GZDoom, specifically ones that use special effects. ">Renderers available: SoftwareOpenGL.
Based on the same code as ZDoomexcept it also uses an OpenGL renderer. Nearly every mod should work with GZDoomspecifically ones that use special effects. <td class="table-source-ports-body-OS" data-sort-value=" Renderers available: Direct3D, OpenGL.
A successor to ZDoom, based off GZDoom except it uses a 32-bit true-color renderer instead of an 8-bit one. It has been merged with GZDoom ">Renderers available: Direct3DOpenGL.
A successor to ZDoombased off GZDoom except it uses a 32-bit true-color renderer instead of an 8-bit one. It has been merged with GZDoom <td class="table-source-ports-body-OS" data-sort-value=" Renderers available: Software, OpenGL.
Based off modified ZDoom code. Use this source port if you want to play multiplayer, as it significantly overhauls the netcode from ZDoom. Basic mods that change the maps are fully supported, but more complex mods such as Brutal Doom varies. Check to see if the mod supports Zandronum or if there's a separate version that does. ">Renderers available: SoftwareOpenGL.
Based off modified ZDoom code. Use this source port if you want to play multiplayeras it significantly overhauls the netcode from ZDoom. Basic mods that change the maps are fully supportedbut more complex mods such as Brutal Doom varies. Check to see if the mod supports Zandronum or if there's a separate version that does. <td class="table-source-ports-body-OS" data-sort-value=" Renderers available: Software.
Source port based on ZDoom 1.22 (and parts of 1.23) that focuses on multiplayer while staying close to the original Doom. Not as widely used as Zandronum. ">Renderers available: Software.
Source port based on ZDoom 1.22 (and parts of 1.23) that focuses on multiplayer while staying close to the original Doom. Not as widely used as Zandronum. <td class="table-source-ports-body-OS" data-sort-value=" Renderers available: OpenGL.
Source port based off Boom (a source port that was made by TeamTNT) that uses an OpenGL renderer that supports high resolutions. ">Renderers available: OpenGL.
Source port based off Boom (a source port that was made by TeamTNT) that uses an OpenGL renderer that supports high resolutions. <td class="table-source-ports-body-OS" data-sort-value=" Renderers available: Software, OpenGL.
Based off PrBoom that attempts to extend the port with more features. ">Renderers available: SoftwareOpenGL.
Based off PrBoom that attempts to extend the port with more features. <td class="table-source-ports-body-OS" data-sort-value=" Renderers available: Software.
Source port that aims to accurately reproduce the experience of playing vanilla Doom. Renders at a low-resolution (that's upscaled to higher resolutions) and purposefully keeps the original game's limits. ">Renderers available: Software.
Source port that aims to accurately reproduce the experience of playing vanilla Doom. Renders at a low-resolution (that's upscaled to higher resolutions) and purposefully keeps the original game's limits. <td class="table-source-ports-body-OS" data-sort-value=" Renderers available: Software (with acceleration), Direct3D, OpenGL.
Source port based off Chocolate Doom that supports vanilla, limit-removing and Boom-compatible maps and makes a few other changes/fixes for the modern age while still keeping the classic Doom experience. ">Renderers available: Software (with acceleration)Direct3DOpenGL.
Source port based off Chocolate Doom that supports vanillalimit-removing and Boom-compatible maps and makes a few other changes/fixes for the modern age while still keeping the classic Doom experience.
Name Description
ZDoom Windows, OS X, Linux
GZDoom Windows, OS X, Linux
QZDoom Windows, OS X, Linux
Zandronum Windows, OS X, Linux
Odamex Windows, OS X, Linux
PrBoom Windows, OS X, Linux
PrBoom+ Windows, OS X, Linux
Chocolate Doom Windows, OS X, Linux
Doom Retro Windows

You can view a more exhaustive list on Wikipedia or a set of comparison tables on DoomWiki.org. The history of various source ports is examined on Doomworld. Latest Git builds of ZDoom, GZDoom, QZDoom, and Odamex are available at DRD Team Development Builds.

Launchers

If using a source port, it is recommended to use any of these following launchest to easily load the WADs or PK3 files, change their loading order, add the command lines or even set up the starting level. Some of these even allows you to save the list of mods you have added.

Name System Notes
SSG Launcher Windows, Mac OS X, Linux The launcher also has the extra functionality with launching Doom 64 EX, the DoomRPG mod, and also the OBLIGE Level Maker.
ZDL Windows There are 3 versions managed by each developer and the only version that is available is Q's that is currently linked. Others such as Bio's and WildGoose's are no longer available
RocketLauncher Windows, Linux Based on Qt, RocketLauncher consists many features to customize your game and a support for DOSBox. Linux users should compile it in order to install it.
Doom Launcher Windows Besides being a launcher, it also allows you to download mods from /idgames database.

WadSmoosh

If using the GZDoom or QZDoom source ports, you can use JP LeBreton's WadSmoosh tool to combine any of the official DOS-era Doom games' IWADs (Doom, Doom II: Hell on Earth, Master Levels for Doom II, and Final Doom) that you own, as well as the No Rest for the Living IWAD from Doom 3: BFG Edition, into a single PK3 IWAD with each game selectable as episodes. The tool along with a guide to use it can be found here.

Content

A freely redistributable replacement of Doom-like assets is available at Freedoom, forming a completely free and open source game. Art assets from the original game such as the levels, sounds, textures, etc., remain under copyright. They can be purchased from Steam, GOG.com, or copied from an original game disc.

Game data

Configuration file and save game data location

C:\DOOMDATA is used if running v1.1 or from CD; C:\DOOM_SE is used if The Ultimate Doom is installed from CD.
It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video settings

In-game options menu.
In-game options menu.

Template:Video settings

Multi-monitor

ZDoom seeks to support multiple monitors out of the box since version 2.5.0. Widescreen Gaming Forum discusses multi-monitor set ups with GZDoom.

The oldest versions of Doom supported multi-monitor by having a network of three computers, used to expand the field of view. The three clients needed to be launched with the following parameters: doom -devparm -net 3 -left, doom -devparm -net 3, and doom -devparm -net 3 -right.[5]

Field of view (FOV)

Depending on your choice of engine, you can usually change the field of view with a console command, or even in the options. Try fov <1-179> or gr_fov <1-179>.

Borderless fullscreen windowed

Borderless Gaming has been tested to work with the following source ports:

  • PrBoom+
  • ZDoom and its derivatives

Input settings

Template:Input settings

Audio settings

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
Use Doom Legacy.
LAN play
4 Co-op, Versus
Online play
4 Co-op, Versus
A source port is recommended for online play as it adds modern networking support and simplifies the process of finding games. Most major source ports (like Zandronum) also increase the max player limit (for Zandronum, the limit is 64)

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Requires source port.
Self-hosting
Direct IP
Possible in source ports.

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 666
UDP 666
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
These are the ports used by the vanilla game (no source ports). The ports to forward for each source port will vary
It is highly recommended to not forward these ports without good reason! Some malware use these ports as an entry point into a system.[6]

VR support

Issues fixed

Game does not run in DOSBox (Steam)

Disable double-buffering in DOSBox[7][8]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\base\
  2. Open ultimate.conf with a text editor such as Notepad or similar program.
  3. Under the section [sdl], look for the line fulldouble= and set it to false.
  4. Saves the changes made to the file.
  5. Repeat Steps 1-3 for the ultimatem.conf file.
  6. Launch the game. It should be able to boot properly in fullscreen.

Doom95 doesn't start on Windows 7

Apply necessary fixes and Doom95 XP Mouse Patch[9][10]
  1. Apply a palette fix (see Rainbow color problems in older games).
  2. Right-click the DOOM95.exe file, click Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, then set it to Windows 95 compatibility mode and check Run the program as administrator option.
  3. Go to %WINDIR%\SysWOW64, copy dplayx.dll and paste it into <path-to-game>, then rename the copied file to dplay.dll.
  4. Now download the Doom95 XP Mouse Patch and extract it to <path-to-game> folder.
  5. Run the program; at the end of the page, click the install button.
  6. Use the Configure button to disable Vertical Axis to prevent moving forward with the mouse; smooth the mouse and add parameters if desired.
  7. Now run DOOM95.exe, go to Advanced/Screen Resolution and set it to the highest resolution available.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D
A source port is required. See Source ports.
DirectDraw 2 Doom 95 only.
OpenGL
A source port is required. See Source ports.
Software renderer
DOS video modes VGA
ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Linux
Mac OS (Classic)

System requirements

DOS
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) MS-DOS 6.2
Processor (CPU) Intel 386
System memory (RAM) 4 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 100 MB
Video card (GPU) VGA graphics card

Notes

  1. File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/2280/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (2280) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References

  1. id-Software/DOOM: DOOM Open Source Release
  2. The Lost Episodes of Doom
  3. Steam Community :: Guide :: Doom 2 Disable Vertical Mouse Movement - last accessed on August 4, 2016
  4. ZDoom • View topic - ZDoom is Dead. Long live ZDoom. - last accessed on May 5, 2017
  5. Official DOOM FAQ, section 9.2
  6. SANS Institute - Intrusion Detection FAQ: What port numbers do well-known trojan horses use?
  7. Steam Community :: Guide :: How to get DOOM to work on Windows 8 without downloading any sourcecodes or mods - last accessed on August 4, 2016
  8. Verified by User:AmethystViper on August 4, 2016
    Have tested using Windows 95 compatibility on the game's executable when using DOSBox, which did not stop the freezing issue until disabling double-buffering within DOSBox under Windows 7 and 8.1.
  9. Doomworld Forums - Doom95 mouse patch for XP available now - last accessed on August 4, 2016
  10. How to run Doom95 on Windows Vista/7 - The Doom Wiki at DoomWiki.org - last accessed on August 4, 2016