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Bethesda Releases New Free Content for Original DOOM and DOOM 2

The original DOOM and DOOM II have received a new update on modern consoles! Today, Bethesda revealed that Earthless: Prelude is coming free to versions of DOOM on current platforms such as Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC. The add-on features 12 maps in total, and has been...

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The original DOOM and DOOM II have received a new update on modern consoles! Today, Bethesda revealed that Earthless: Prelude is coming free to versions of DOOM on current platforms such as Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC. The add-on features 12 maps in total, and has been developed by modder James "Jimmy" Paddock. Paddock has worked on a number of notable DOOM mods over the years, including an add-on called Deathless. Earthless is a spiritual successor to that project, which is also available as a free add-on, as well. In total, 32 levels will be released as part of the new project.

In a blog post on Bethesda's Slayer's Club, Paddock revealed that these maps were actually created in the mid-2000s, when he was first learning how to create maps. Since then, Paddock has become a skilled developer, and he was able to take his experience and use it to polish up these older creations. The new levels will feature "stock music" from the first two DOOM games, but the finished project will include an original soundtrack from Paddock and other musicians associated with the DOOM modding scene.

 

[Soodanim]

Whether or not this satisfies the hardcore fans, the fact that Bethesda have put out free content on the platforms where you can't just grab a new WAD online is nice. If this is the prelude, is this the sampler to get people hooked ready for the rest?

 

[LittleWing]

Can never have enough Doom.

 

[Banjo64]

This is really cool. I love it when new content is added to really old games. 343 recently added a brand new Halo 3 map to the MCC.

 

[RoadHazard]

Are these games 4K120? They should be!

 

[Redneckerz]

Are these games 4K120? They should be!

They run at 60 fps interpolated as they use Unity, and because Doom's internal cap is 35 FPS, actually.

Stuff like this is great - Im heavily involved in the DoomWiki to cover every obscure thing about Doom out there, because this is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[RoadHazard]

They run at 60 fps interpolated as they use Unity, and because Doom's internal cap is 35 FPS, actually.

Stuff like this is great - Im heavily involved in the DoomWiki to cover every obscure thing about Doom out there, because this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Ah, right, the 35fps thing... So these are emulated versions, not proper ports? Or would it just take too much work to rework it to properly run at 60/120?

 

[Redneckerz]

Ah, right, the 35fps thing... So these are emulated versions, not proper ports? Or would it just take too much work to rework it to properly run at 60/120?

It is a port. The actual Doom rendering is used as a framework inside Unity. Unity is merely a shell - Doom is still effectively what renders the world. The 60 FPS update is a result of a interpolation system.

So it effectively runs at 60 FPS, but it interpolates the tics inbetween to make fluent gameplay possible. This isn't new: Many ports utilize this feature.

 

[Scotty W]

The Doom community seems relatively pleased with the news.

Earthless: Prelude - Full release 31.03.25

Name: Earthless: Prelude Map Format: Vanilla Doom Ports Tested: Chocolate Doom 3.0.0, Crispy Doom 5.3, Eternity 4.02.00, GZDoom 4.5.0. IWAD: doom2.wad Map(s): MAP01-12 Par Time(s): None set Music: doom.wad, doom2.wad, tnt.wad Gameplay: Single play/co-op Difficulty Settings: Yes Multiplayer Placem...

www.doomworld.com

 

[RoadHazard]

It is a port. The actual Doom rendering is used as a framework inside Unity. Unity is merely a shell - Doom is still effectively what renders the world. The 60 FPS update is a result of a interpolation system.

So it effectively runs at 60 FPS, but it interpolates the tics inbetween to make fluent gameplay possible. This isn't new: Many ports utilize this feature.

But it doesn't really run at 60 then, it's basically doing the MotionFlow thing everyone hates on TVs? But alright.

Edit: Ok, it's not interpolating the frames, but rather the game engine ticks.

 

[Redneckerz]

But it doesn't really run at 60 then, it's basically doing the MotionFlow thing everyone hates on TVs? But alright.

Edit: Ok, it's not interpolating the frames, but rather the game engine ticks.

It is running at 60, but it is interpolating the ticks. As a result, the frames increase.

 

[ToyMachine228]

They've been doing this. Bethesda recently released Doom Zero as well which is something that they developed if I remember correctly. Not to mention Romero's stuff...

 

[a multicultural team of v]

I wonder if they will add a 35fps option for TVs with VRR.

 

[Kev Kev]

fuck yes keep it coming with the old school stuff. id love to see brutal doom on consoles. ive only seen videos but never played it, but it looks like so much damn fun.