Doom (1993) | Edition 1: Sept' 23

The story behind the iconic video game "Doom" is an interesting tale that involves a blend of technological innovation, passionate developers, and a fervent gaming community.

In the early 1990s, a company called id Software, founded by John Carmack and John Romero, was at the forefront of PC gaming technology. They had already achieved success with games like "Commander Keen" and "Wolfenstein 3D," which laid the groundwork for the first-person shooter (FPS) genre. However, they wanted to push the boundaries even further.

The concept of "Doom" began to take shape as they aimed to create a game that was not only technically impressive but also incredibly engaging for players. The team worked on developing a game engine that could render realistic 3D environments in real-time—an impressive feat at the time. John Carmack's innovations in graphics programming played a pivotal role in the game's development.

Released in 1993, the first episode of "Doom" was initially distributed as shareware, which meant that players could try out the first episode for free and then purchase the full game. This distribution model significantly contributed to the game's popularity and widespread adoption.

"Doom" was notable not only for its technological advancements but also for its fast-paced gameplay, intense action, and eerie atmosphere. The game's narrative was relatively simple: the player assumed the role of a space marine stationed on Mars who must battle hordes of demons and undead creatures that have been unleashed from Hell due to a scientific experiment gone awry.

The game's success was also fueled by its robust multiplayer mode, allowing players to connect via local area networks (LANs) to engage in deathmatches, which laid the foundation for competitive multiplayer gaming.

"Doom" quickly gained a massive cult following, and its impact on the gaming industry was profound. It popularized the first-person shooter genre and introduced concepts like modding and level design that are still influential today. The game's modding community was particularly vibrant, with players creating their own levels, monsters, and weapons, which further extended the game's longevity.

The success of "Doom" led to sequels, expansions, and adaptations across various platforms, solidifying its status as a gaming legend.