A Decade of Hell: DOOM Turns 10
The game that changed an industry turns 10. Let's celebrate.
By Benjamin Turner | Dec. 8, 2003



DOOM. It's a perfect title for a near-perfect game. id's breakthrough first-person shooter was a stunning achievement, a beautiful synthesis of graphics and gameplay that leapt for the jugular and then seldom let go. DOOM wrote the rules of the fledgling FPS genre, inspiring a legion of clones and drawing together one of the biggest fan communities a game has ever known. When the dust cleared, id was on top of the industry and players' expectations were forever altered. It's hard to think of many games that have been quite so influential.

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Dec. 10, 2003, was DOOM's 10th anniversary. All this week, join us for a celebration of all things DOOM, as we honor id's masterpiece and examine both its rich legacy and its place in the gaming world ten years after its landmark creation. Whether you've barely touched it or, like me, are a raving DOOM fanatic, join us to learn about the first-person shooter that started it all. Here's to another decade in Hell! And be sure to share your DOOM memories!




DOOM: One for the Ages
Wondering what exactly makes DOOM so special? We'll tell you, complete with lots of cheery adjectives.

Sharing the Horror
id caught wind of the shareware concept and then used it to change the rules of the game industry.

The DOOM Timeline
From DOOM's original shareware upload to the release of its source code, the most important dates in DOOM history.

Retro Review: The Ultimate DOOM
"But boss," I said, "we're eight years late!" "Review it anyway," he said. So I did.

Screenshot Gallery: The Ultimate DOOM
Because a picture's worth a thousand words, and lord knows you've read enough DOOM stuff already.

DOOM: Pile-On!
Folks from all walks of GameSpy converge on DOOM and throw out their opinions like tiny hurtful bees.

DOOM: Everywhere You Wanna Play
Few games have been ported so extensively, but not all those ports were good. In fact ...

Retro Review: DOOM II: Hell on Earth
DOOM II brought DOOM's terror into retail stores, but the most frightening thing was probably how good it was.

Screenshot Gallery: DOOM II: Hell on Earth
We visited a little slice of Hell on Earth, but luckily the pictures came out fine.

DOOM Memories
How did DOOM affect your life? That's the question we posed to GameSpy folk from the chairman on down.

GameSpy Sessions: DOOM
It's time for another Session, as GameSpy editors break out the futon and discuss the FPS that changed everything.

The DOOM Dudes: Where Are They Now?
After DOOM and Quake, much of id's creative staff went their own separate ways. Here's where.

How to DOOM: Three Easy Steps
Dying to actually, I dunno, play some DOOM? You're in luck! There're just three simple steps between you and Hell ...

Bringin' in the DOOM Clones
The insane success of DOOM inspired a flood of fakers and imitators. Here are a few of the best ... and worst.

id on DOOM: Old and New
id's Kevin Cloud and Tim Willits share their thoughts on creating two generations of DOOM games.

Creating DOOM: Romero Remembers
The man who personifies DOOM reminisces about the halcyon days of 1993, and how id created a masterpiece.

DOOM 3: What We Know
Curious what's up with DOOM 3? Here's a rundown of everything we know about the DOOM 3 project so far.

Screenshot Gallery: DOOM 3
An archive of every official DOOM 3 shot released by id so far, in the highest quality we can find.

Massive, High-Res DOOM 3 Trailer
See the stunning E3 trailer in glorious high-res. This is the best sneak-peek at DOOM 3 that you can get.