DOOMis one of the most influential games of all time, helping to pioneer the first-person shooter genre while inspiring an untold number of clones. The franchise spawned by that original game continues to this day with titles likeDoom Eternal, but fans also still churn out their own creations such as a recentDOOMmod inspired by Mel Brooks’Spaceballs.
One clever use ofDOOM 2was published to the website Mod DB on July 30 by DevHour Games' co-owner and designer Chris Baracani: A nearly 1-to-1 recreation of the National Videogame Museum in Frisco, Texas that interested fans can download and explore now. DevHour is primarily known for its “relaxing puzzle game"Depixtion, but Baracani said he has been working on version 1.0 of thisDOOMrecreation for over a year in his off-time.
RELATED:The 11 Most Innovative and Influential First-Person Shooter Games
Baracani said he began working at the National Videogame Museum as a tour guide within months of its opening in 2016, and was later asked if he could create theDOOMmap for an exhibit by one of the owners. Despite the museum re-opening on June 15, the mod’s publication is well-timed given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced large gatherings likeBlizzCon to be hosted virtually. The museum advertised his creation on Twitter suggesting it as an alternative to visiting in person.
Players can explore the map at their leisure through “Tourism Mode,” or switch on demons to fight throughout the museum, which includes two secret maps per request of the owners. A side-by-side video shows the museum recreated with an impressive level of detail, including its massive console release timeline and 80s-style arcade, making the whole endeavor reminiscent ofDevolver Digital’sDevolverland ExpoE3 simulatorthat turned its games showcase into a modern first-person shooter.
DOOM’s influence on the industry and recent high regard thanks to modern games by id Software makes it the perfect centerpiece for a museum dedicated to video game history. When there aren’t mods being made for the classic first-person shooter,DOOMis often modded into games likeMinecraft.
This recreation of the National Videogame Museum was largely a labor of love, as Baracani said the museum has “become an extremely influential part of my life.” It should be worth checking out hisDOOMmap while the coronavirus pandemic continues to largely affect the United States, especially for those who have finished working throughDoom Eternal’s second major updatefrom June.
