Today id Software and Bethesda Softworks announced a new bundling of the original DOOM + DOOM II, with a whole bunch of enhancements using Nightdive Studio's KEX engine. A free update for existing owners too.
While we have various source port projects like the fantastic GZDoom, the newer KEX engine versions will at least make them play a lot nicer on modern systems completely out of the box. There's definitely something to be said for convenience.
Plus you get all these extras now too (from the Steam page):
New Enhancements
- Online, cross-platform deathmatch and co-op for up to 16 players.
- Community-published mod support with an in-game mod browser.
- Choose between the original midi DOOM and DOOM II soundtracks or the modern IDKFA versions by Andrew Hulshult (including brand-new DOOM II recordings).
- Improved performance with multithreaded rendering supporting up to 4K resolution.
- Now on the KEX engine.
- BOOM source compatibility makes it possible for hundreds of community-created mods from the past 25 years to be published in-game.
- Accessibility options, such as a modern font to improve legibility, high contrast mode, text-to-speech, speech-to-text multiplayer chat and more.
- Translated into 8 new languages: Mexican Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.
Existing Enhancements
- Upgraded visuals.
- Modern controller support.
- Weapon carousel for faster weapon switching.
- Improved mouse and keyboard controls.
- Local split-screen deathmatch and co-op for up to 4 players.
- Featured community mods²'³, including REKKR, Revolution!, Syringe, Double Impact, Arrival, and more! Expect an ever-expanding list of single player mods to be added by the community modders.
- 60 FPS and native 16:9 support – up to 1080p.
- Restored original in-game music using original hardware.
- Quick Save/Load support.
- DeHacked mod support.
![YouTube Thumbnail](https://www.gamingonlinux.com/cache/youtube_thumbs/ca62ee6064c61cfc96471bcbdbe9dc21.jpg)
Direct Link
On top of that, a brand new episode was also released named Legacy of Rust. This was made in collaboration by id Software, Nightdive Studios, and MachineGames. Legacy of Rust is the newest episode for DOOM, and the first official episode since DOOM II to feature new demons and weapons. This 16-map Episode is broken up into two 8 map sections: The Vulcan Abyss and Counterfeit Eden.
The online features do need a Bethesda account, just to be clear. Plus, the original DOS versions of DOOM (1993) and DOOM II are still included so it's not like they've just been wiped away, which is good to see for proper preservation. So no need to complain about the classics not needing to be touched, they're still there.
Find the newer DOOM + DOOM II on:
Same with the Quake remasters.
The only advantage is convenience.
Quoting: AederA lot of these features actually sound inferior than the source ports.
Same with the Quake remasters.
The only advantage is convenience.
The official source ports will never be able to please everyone in a way source ports can.
Quoting: KlaasNot yet on GOG for owners of the previous versions.Should be, they did announce it.
Quoting: Liam DaweShould be, they did announce it.That does not matter on GOG, they announce many things that really are there a few days later, but it is there now. 2 hours between announcement and it actually being there is good.
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