Doom (franchise)
Overview
The Doom franchise is a series of first-person shooter video games developed by id Software. The series focuses on the exploits of an unnamed space marine operating under the auspices of the Union Aerospace Corporation (UAC), who fights hordes of demons and the undead in order to survive.
Gameplay
The Doom games are first-person shooters. The player takes on the role of an unnamed space marine, who battles against forces of Hell unleashed by the UAC's experiments on Mars. The gameplay is characterized by its fast-paced action, and the use of a wide variety of weapons and power-ups. The player must navigate through levels, fighting enemies and finding keys to progress, while surviving traps and ambushes.
History
The original Doom was released in 1993 and was a landmark title in the first-person shooter genre. It established many of the conventions that have since defined the genre, including the use of 3D graphics, networked multiplayer gaming, and support for player-created modifications with the Doom WAD format.
The success of Doom led to the release of several sequels and spin-off games, including Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994), Final Doom (1996), and Doom 3 (2004). The series was rebooted in 2016 with the release of Doom (often referred to as Doom 2016 to differentiate it from the original game), which was followed by Doom Eternal in 2020.
Impact and Legacy
The Doom franchise has had a significant impact on the video game industry. The original Doom was a major influence on the first-person shooter genre, and its success led to the creation of numerous other similar games, known as "Doom clones". The game's graphics engine, the Doom engine, was also highly influential, and was used in many other games.
The franchise has also had a significant cultural impact. It has been referenced in numerous other media, including films, television shows, and music. The game's protagonist, the Doom Slayer, has become an iconic character in video games.