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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.
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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:

GOG

Steam

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: FPS, GOG, Retro, Steam, Upcoming
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Quoting: eldarionI'm curious to see how good the new episode is. As for everything else, we already have it and better with gzdoom. It's basically another attempt to cash grab a few extra bucks.
you saw the part that this is free to existing owners?
Ehvis Aug 9
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With all those (new) fans of original Doom, I wonder how many people know what it was like to play Doom originally.
Quoting: EhvisWith all those (new) fans of original Doom, I wonder how many people know what it was like to play Doom originally.

I remember trying to play it on keyboard only -- this was before WASD+mouse became the standard control scheme, though you could set up a mouse + keyboard configuration in Doom -- and failing miserably. I don't think I was able to progress beyond the first 3 levels back in the day.
Pengling Aug 9
Quoting: CalinouI don't think savegames are compatible, but the IDCLEVXX cheat should work (either by entering it during gameplay, or in the console – or perhaps try "map e1m5" in the console).

For instance, to access E1M5 in Doom 1, use IDCLEV15. In Doom 2, this would access MAP15.
Thanks very much. I guess I'll have to do that, because there's no way in hell that I'm slogging through 20 or so levels out of 32 all over again!

It's so annoying - I get terrible motion-sickness from first-person games, so I have to really take my time going through them. I didn't expect that what I was playing would be replaced with an entirely new version during a playthrough, hahaha!

EDIT: Just a quick update - this "update" doesn't affect the Unity versions if you already have them installed, so thankfully I don't have to start over or hop in and use cheats to return to my current spot!


Last edited by Pengling on 9 August 2024 at 5:26 pm UTC
Jarmer Aug 9
wooooo new content!!! Love it.

Very much looking forward to playing through the new levels. I need to go through that and Sigil 2. Absolutely loved Sigil 1.
QuoteJust to clear up a quick thing: for anyone wanting to play Legacy of Rust on another source port, you just need ID1.WAD -- It needs an MBF21-compatible source port (e.g. dsda-doom, Woof!, GZDoom, etc.), and there are a few cosmetic things that use some brand-new features like the intermission map (basically all the new lumps Gez pointed out -- docs/specs for those coming soon, once we get some damn free time lol). Gameplay-wise you're getting the real deal either way.

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/post/2830229

So it should be playable natively using source ports, which is good, as I get DLL errors trying the actual binary through Wine.

EDIT: got it running via DSDA-Doom from the Arch User Repository.


Last edited by Technopeasant on 10 August 2024 at 12:47 am UTC
Claude_Lib Aug 12
So it appears they updated the original Doom to this compilation and also delisted the original Doom II. I mean, at least they gave us the option to play the old version and didn't forcibly take the sequel away from our libraries, like Rockstar did.
Jarmer Aug 12
Quoting: Claude_LibSo it appears they updated the original Doom to this compilation and also delisted the original Doom II. I mean, at least they gave us the option to play the old version and didn't forcibly take the sequel away from our libraries, like Rockstar did.

it's the Bethesda way. They do this shit constantly. Just look at the Fallout 4 fiasco.
Multiple users have claimed this package offers "convenience" over gzdoom, but is that actually true for Linux users? Flathub has packaged GZdoom+Freedoom as a trio of pre-configured apps:
Freedoom: Phase 1
Freedoom: Phase 2
FreeDM

All of which automatically use the latest GZDoom. Is buying this bundle really more convenient than `flatpak install flathub io.github.freedoom.Phase1`, or the equivalent on your distro's software manager GUI?

I could see an argument that this paid bundle is more convenient for Windows or MacOS users, but if you are on Linux and on a distro with Flatpak, I struggle to see how the paid version is actually more convenient.
tuubi Aug 13
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Quoting: RandomizedKirbyTree47Is buying this bundle really more convenient than `flatpak install flathub io.github.freedoom.Phase1`, or the equivalent on your distro's software manager GUI?
I suppose it's more convenient if you want to play Doom or Doom II and not Freedoom.
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