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[pollo]

People, its USA fucking Today. What do you expect?

yea seriously GAF dont throw a hissy fit over what some magazine said. Sheesh.

 

[Version 3.0]

Wow, I go take a nap and my thread's become a flame war. Well, let me jump back in:

First, to establish my credibility, there's NO bigger Doom fan than me. Period.

But I'm not a blinkered fanboy, either. Doom, as I said in my initial post, was hugely influential (I think a LOT of people missed that sentence). It was a big hit, on many platforms (see pic above), and it was a fun, fun game that did a lot of things right, and popularized (if not invented) a genre and game types within that genre, as well as other things that have been pointed out in this thread, like shareware.

However, Doom's hardly alone in genre-creation/popularization. EVERY genre of game was invented by a game that did it first, and popularized by a game that hit big (duh). Granted that Doom had some influence outside of its genre, so did Street Fighter 2, Pac-Man, Super Mario 64, and especially Pong (the game that launched both the arcade and home console markets into the public light) and Super Mario Bros (the game that re-launched them both).

As others before me have pointed out, some of these games have had GLOBAL influence. Doom's influence has been mostly limited to the western market.

Pac-Man influenced the entire market. Without its iconic success, the videogame world today might not be filled with mascot characters. Super Mario Bros influenced the entire market. Besides strengthening the 'mascot' idea well into the console generation AFTER its release, it helped move games out single screen worlds and into epic game worlds with hidden areas, etc. For two generations, it seemed that every other game released was borrowing from Mario. Even Doom's enclosed level/goal-based progression/hidden area/secret powerup gameplay is reminiscent of Super Mario Bros.

Doom simply can't compete with that. It didn't create or revive the industry. It's name doesn't equate to 'videogames' with nearly every conscious person on the planet (Pac-Man and Mario both do). It's definitely one of the big boys, but it's like King Kong next to Godzilla when you pull back your vision long enough to get a sense of scale.

 

[Version 3.0]

May I just add that I :lol at people that suggest, or even entertain the concept that GoldenEye had any kind of influence or impact, other than being a really popular game.

What did GoldenEye bring to the table?

Objective-based gameplay rather than (or in addition to) mindless shooting, for one thing. Location-based shot damage, for another.

But it'll be remembered for proving that the FPS is a console-friendly genre (even though Turok invented the control scheme). It also supported the same dual analog setup (via 2 N64 controllers) all console FPS games now use.

Basically, without Goldeneye's success, you'd not have Halo on Xbox, and the Xbox might've died young. It's no coincidence that Microsoft bought both Bungie (to get Halo as an exclusive) and Rare (because of Goldeneye, not Banjo-fucking-Kazooie).

 

[Version 3.0]

Basically, if you're under 27, it's likely that you're not going to understand or agree with the concept of DOOM being the most influential game ever created.

If you're a little older and witnessed first-hand the revolution back in the early 1990's, not only in computer gaming but also in electronic entertainment, which spread like wildfire with DOOM's release... then chances are you'll wholeheartedly agree with the article.

I think the fact that nearly every game being argued as more influential than Doom is older than Doom negates your entire arguement, sonny.

 

[Monk]

I wouldn't consider Doom the most influential game ever either. If i had to choose, I would say Civilization.

 

[Gattsu25]

You kill him and he drops little orbs of different colors. Some of those orbs give you experience points that you can then spend to buy new moves.

Onimusha?

 

[Gattsu25]

Objective-based gameplay rather than (or in addition to) mindless shooting, for one thing.

mutherfucking SYSTEM SHOCK 1 years before Goldeneye

Doom simply can't compete with that. It didn't create or revive the industry. It's name doesn't equate to 'videogames' with nearly every conscious person on the planet (Pac-Man and Mario both do). It's definitely one of the big boys, but it's like King Kong next to Godzilla when you pull back your vision long enough to get a sense of scale.

Pac-Man is a game name...only a game name. Mario is a name. Doom has many uses outside of entertainment

 

[Dilbert]

For two generations, it seemed that every other game released was borrowing from Mario. Even Doom's enclosed level/goal-based progression/hidden area/secret powerup gameplay is reminiscent of Super Mario Bros.

Where you see every other game borrowing from Super Mario Brothers...I see someone who is trying to find SMB in every other game.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

I wouldn't consider Doom the most influential game ever either. If i had to choose, I would say Civilization.

Civilization is a great game. One of the best all time, but it isn't nearly as influential as Doom or Super Mario Brothers. Isn't even in the same conversation. My parents know what Doom and SMB is, they've never heard of Civ.

 

[Warm Machine]

Doom did solidify the PC as an action gamers machine. Prior to it and aside from a lesser example, Wolfenstein, the PC was a dominion of RPG, Flight Sim, and Strategy.

 

[Parallax Scroll]

Onimusha?

Yep, DMC is evolved from Onimusha. But most 3D console action games borrow far more heavily from DMC than they do from Onimusha.

 

[Senretsu]

I'm glad they put that as their headline because it'll make Jack Thompson's blood boil

 

[Parallax Scroll]

mutherfucking SYSTEM SHOCK 1 years before Goldeneye

Marathon, too.

 

[jetjevons]

I think Doom has a very legitimate claim to that title.

 

[Ryudo]

I wholeheartedly endorse this article.

 

[cvxfreak]

I think Pokemon is more influential than Doom on several fronts (sales, marketing, being banned in Saudi Arabia, Uri Geller, etc.)

 

[Sho Nuff]

I also agree with the thread title. Were you children not alive during the phenomenon that was DooM?

 

[Sho Nuff]

Nothing compares to 16-player co-cop over ZDAEMON!


Timmy nooooo!


The remains of 500 cacodemons!

 

[Version 3.0]

I also agree with the thread title. Were you children not alive during the phenomenon that was DooM?

Again, it's YOU who's the child here if you can't remember Pac-mania and the 8/16-bit mascot explosion. Nobody's arguing for post-Doom games. I haven't seen any kids in here rooting for Halo or GTA.

 

[Version 3.0]

Where you see every other game borrowing from Super Mario Brothers...I see someone who is trying to find SMB in every other game.

And I can just as easily say that only first-person games were influenced by Doom. But I didn't; there's no reason to be that closed-minded. You're using a double standard if you deny other games' wide influence but admit Doom's impact.

Let me ask you this: did you know that John Romero, Doom's designer, named a character in Daikatana after Shigeru Miyamoto, SMB's designer? Still think there's no influence there? It's blatantly obvious if you open your eyes.

 

[Speevy]

It's weird that although I've never actually considered myself a "PC gamer", my first PC games were Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, Flight Simulator, Master of Magic (which I never opened), and Duke Nukem 3D. I never realized at the time how highly regarded these games would come to be.

 

[Porridge]

There's a difference between the most influential game and the 'best' game.

Doom caused two kids to shoot up a highschool. Not something to ever brag about, but it's true. More importantly though, it set the guidelines for all games like it to follow. Wolfenstein may have come first, but Doom is what did it.

Wolfenstein is to Doom as Alone in the Dark is to Resident Evil.

 

[Porridge]

And I can just as easily say that only first-person games were influenced by Doom. But I didn't; there's no reason to be that closed-minded. You're using a double standard if you deny other games' wide influence but admit Doom's impact.

Let me ask you this: did you know that John Romero, Doom's designer, named a character in Daikatana after Shigeru Miyamoto, SMB's designer? Still think there's no influence there? It's blatantly obvious if you open your eyes.

I don't think naming a character after Miyamoto means anything since Daikatana plays nothing like a Miyamoto game

 

[Gattsu25]

There's a difference between the most influential game and the 'best' game.

Doom caused two kids to shoot up a highschool. Not something to ever brag about, but it's true.

Sit on a sticky dildo and let it fester, you worthless shriveled cunt

 

[Parallax Scroll]

Doom caused two kids to shoot up a highschool. Not something to ever brag about, but it's true.

You actually believe that?

 

[Willy Wanka]

I'd say Space Invaders is probably the most influential game ever.

Stuff like Tetris, Doom, Super Mario Bros, Pac-man, Street Fighter II & Mario 64 are all good shouts though.

 

[Dynamite Shikoku]

space invaders? pfff

 

[Dilbert]

And I can just as easily say that only first-person games were influenced by Doom. But I didn't; there's no reason to be that closed-minded. You're using a double standard if you deny other games' wide influence but admit Doom's impact.

Let me ask you this: did you know that John Romero, Doom's designer, named a character in Daikatana after Shigeru Miyamoto, SMB's designer? Still think there's no influence there? It's blatantly obvious if you open your eyes.

1) I didn't say anything, one way or the other, about my opinion of USA Today's choice of Doom for the most influential game ever. I have no idea what you're basing your "double standard" and "closed-minded" statements on, but I'm not happy that you apparently didn't read what I wrote very carefully.

2) You claimed that the majority of games over TWO GENERATIONS were borrowing from SMB. I was responding to the fact that your statement seemed to be suspiciously broad. It's funny enough that you were claiming that Doom was influenced by SMB...but I can think of entire genres which have NOTHING to do with SMB: racing, RPG, etc.

3) Naming a character after a game designer is hardly evidence that the game itself was an homage to that designer's game.

Clearly SMB would be on the short list of "really influential games." I'm simply calling you on exaggerating past the point of being reasonable.

 

[maximum360]

Tetris.

 

[Version 3.0]

I don't think naming a character after Miyamoto means anything since Daikatana plays nothing like a Miyamoto game

But Doom does, or rather, its design is similar (not quite the same thing). See:

Doom's enclosed level/goal-based progression/hidden area/secret powerup gameplay is reminiscent of Super Mario Bros.

Or better yet, from Romero himself:

Who has influenced your career and why?

Design-wise, the games from Squaresoft and Shigeru Miyamoto's games.

Here's the link, disbelievers:
http://www.classicgaming.com/cc314/oldcc314/interview-jr.htm

 

[Version 3.0]

1) I didn't say anything, one way or the other, about my opinion of USA Today's choice of Doom for the most influential game ever. I have no idea what you're basing your "double standard" and "closed-minded" statements on, but I'm not happy that you apparently didn't read what I wrote very carefully.

2) You claimed that the majority of games over TWO GENERATIONS were borrowing from SMB. I was responding to the fact that your statement seemed to be suspiciously broad. It's funny enough that you were claiming that Doom was influenced by SMB...but I can think of entire genres which have NOTHING to do with SMB: racing, RPG, etc.

3) Naming a character after a game designer is hardly evidence that the game itself was an homage to that designer's game.

Clearly SMB would be on the short list of "really influential games." I'm simply calling you on exaggerating past the point of being reasonable.

Check my last post for some crow to eat, Mr. Reasonable.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

I agree with the idea that Doom is the one of the most influential games ever. It brought 3D to the masses in a way that no other single game has and has had more of its, at the time, unique game elements kept intact within the genre than most can claim. The FPS is still the single most watched genre, IMO, because it is still the showcase for advancements in software technology more than any other.

 

[Sho Nuff]

Again, it's YOU who's the child here if you can't remember Pac-mania and the 8/16-bit mascot explosion. Nobody's arguing for post-Doom games. I haven't seen any kids in here rooting for Halo or GTA.

Oh please, I'm so old that I did your grandma!

Anyway, I say Doom was huge beyond belief because

1.) Everyone had a PC that could run it
and
2.) The motherfucker was FREE and they told you to pass it around.

bsides doomguy is betar than gay mario lol

 

[Mr_Furious]

Leondexter, before there was SMB there was this little game called Adventure for the 2600 that had "enclosed level/goal-based progression/hidden area/secret powerup gameplay". I'm not disputing that SMB was not influential but compared to Doom there's no comparison.

Doom accomplished:

1. Ignited the 3D revolution that is still evolving to this day as technology evolves

2. Put the FPS genre on the map which still holds a dominant presence to this very day

3. Introduced "controversial" content that proved to the VG industry that not only is it acceptable but quite profitable as well (and to a certain degree the ESRB rating system is now a result there of)

4. Multiplayer gaming. It single handedly coined the phrase "deathmatch" which is still widely used to this day. If it ain't broke don't fix it, right? Not only that, it spawned a whole new and almost mandatory component to the FPS genre. Anything less than is considered unacceptable by the undying FPS fanbase.

5. Helped develop the concept of a "mod community" by embracing homebrew levels, maps, gameplay modifications, creation tools and the like. Many genres have now adopted this very concept that is widely practiced to this day.

6. Oops, almost forgot. Caused a serious surge in PC purchases when it first came out. We're talking about $2000+ machines here, not $200 NES's. I highly doubt a game like SMB would move $2000 hardware like Doom did.

Again, I'm not disputing your claim that SMB is influential but the game has done little outside of it's own genre to help propel the industry forward and branch out. Doom has had more of an affect on video gaming if only you were to look at today's requirements of what a game offers.

 

[Porridge]

Sit on a sticky dildo and let it fester, you worthless shriveled cunt

And I'm sure you'll not be banned for that

But, why be offended because I said that Doom's influence was so powerful that it was partially responsible for the deaths of innocent students? I'm talking specifically about influence, not great game design. Doom has caused arguments, debates, bannings, and as i mentioned, deaths. What game is more influential than that? i'm not trying to shock here, these are just the facts

You actually believe that?

Yes, because before the shooters went on their rampage, they said it would be "so cool" and "just like fucking Doom". They were addicted to the game and played it every day. they were twisted to begin with, but they were inspired by Doom. id say to a large extent

 

[WhippinSean]

Virtua Fighter and Daytona USA were two of the most influential games of the 90's.

they embodied the 90's

 

[Monk]

Civilization is a great game. One of the best all time, but it isn't nearly as influential as Doom or Super Mario Brothers. Isn't even in the same conversation. My parents know what Doom and SMB is, they've never heard of Civ.

I am talking influential. I mean what elements did doom put into other games that werent there before. I mean civ did the whole research system, the settling and develop system, tax and science funding system that are still being used to day. Influential =/= popular

 

[Monk]

Leondexter, before there was SMB there was this little game called Adventure for the 2600 that had "enclosed level/goal-based progression/hidden area/secret powerup gameplay". I'm not disputing that SMB was not influential but compared to Doom there's no comparison.

Doom accomplished:

1. Ignited the 3D revolution that is still evolving to this day as technology evolves.

There were many games before doom that did this and were more influential that doom like wolfenstein.

2. Put the FPS genre on the map which still holds a dominant presence to this very day

Wolfenstein did that before doom.

3. Introduced "controversial" content that proved to the VG industry that not only is it acceptable but quite profitable as well (and to a certain degree the ESRB rating system is now a result there of)

Again Wolfenstein

 

[dicklaurent]

I agree with this news. Doom wins it.

 

[Mr_Furious]

There were many games before doom that did this and were more influential that doom like wolfenstein.

Wolfenstein did that before doom.

Again Wolfenstein

1. I never said Doom "invented" 3D but it made the industry do a 2nd take unlike it did with Wolf3D.

2. Again, Wolf3D was ignored.

3. See above.

Some of you people don't seem to really get the point of what the word "influence" means. Even though Wolf3D came before it, it was Doom that really turned the industry on it's ear by showing the developers the many "possibilities" that game risked.

oh, and dammit, I forgot one more thing Doom did for the industry:

7. Shareware.

 

[TekunoRobby]

The FPS genre is practically the entire PC market now (aside from the Warcrafts/Diablo) and on the console side its becoming more and more of an important genre. After EA's sports titles, it's probably the most important genre in North America/Europe.

While I can't outright say that statement is false I'd suggest you check out recent sales and you'll see a bit of diversity. It might be the most popular genre here in the US but it definitely isn't utterly dominating sales. I'll also recommend checking out the most popular games in the Asian markets as well where the FPS is far from being the most popular genre.

 

[puck1337]

It certainly did a lot for the industry. It's an easy choice, because 3D shooters (first person and 3rd) are the preeminent genre of this generation. Back when 2D platformers were still the industry staple, I'm sure Super Mario Bros. would have been the obvious pick.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

There are too many people arguing here over the actual gameplay of Doom being the reason it's not influential... the gameplay was basic and everyday even when it came out. The entire reason it's influential is because of two very big things:

1) online gameplay - this is where gaming is going (even Nintendo is finally doing it), and Doom started it 10 years ago.

2) popularized user-created addons and mods - no current PC game survives without a strong community. Doom started this trend.

 

[Porridge]

There are too many people arguing here over the actual gameplay of Doom being the reason it's not influential... the gameplay was basic and everyday even when it came out. The entire reason it's influential is because of two very big things:

1) online gameplay - this is where gaming is going (even Nintendo is finally doing it), and Doom started it 10 years ago.

2) popularized user-created addons and mods - no current PC game survives without a strong community. Doom started this trend.

very true

 

[GreekWolf]

There are too many people arguing here over the actual gameplay of Doom being the reason it's not influential... the gameplay was basic and everyday even when it came out. The entire reason it's influential is because of two very big things:

1) online gameplay - this is where gaming is going (even Nintendo is finally doing it), and Doom started it 10 years ago.

2) popularized user-created addons and mods - no current PC game survives without a strong community. Doom started this trend.

This is why you are right, and Leondexter is so very wrong.

Although, I do admire his collection, even though he's missing MAC DOOM

 

[cubicle47b]

Check my last post for some crow to eat, Mr. Reasonable.

You kind of / maybe proved #3 (didn't Romero just do level designs?). Why did you bother quoting the other 2?

 

[Version 3.0]

This is why you are right, and Leondexter is so very wrong.

Although, I do admire his collection, even though he's missing MAC DOOM

I'd have it, but I don't have a Mac. Game's no good without the system to play it. I also have shareware Doom on floppy, but that makes a crappy picture.

 

[Version 3.0]

Nobody's bothered to respond to this, so I'll have to say it again. Doom itself was influenced by Super Mario Bros. All you young'uns are underestimating SMB's influence. I know it's hard to believe that Mario influenced games with guns in them, but it's true.

You don't have to try and convince me that Doom is influential. I fucking know that--read my post (the one with the big picture of my Doom collection in it). All I'm saying is that Mario was bigger. I know he's hateful, but it's the truth.

And I can't believe nobody's defending Pong for starting two industries.

 

[Monk]

1. I never said Doom "invented" 3D but it made the industry do a 2nd take unlike it did with Wolf3D.

2. Again, Wolf3D was ignored.

3. See above.

7. Shareware.

You are syaing the Wolf3d was ignored, but most people who have played went on to buy doom. It was the first step that popularised FPS games, It's like saying that PSX was the first to to cater to kids, when the NES did it before that. Credit where it's due. The original Civ on the other hand has many, many features that are still being used today. And a few of these elements are seeping into other genres aswell.

I mean look at all the Civ has accomplished:
-First to make random generated maps.
-First to introduce the tax/science/popularity balancing system
-first to introduce the leadership styles
-First to implement the settlers -> outpost to large colony system
-First to have a sophisticated terrain advanatge system.
-First to introduce the mineral system.
-First to introduce a diplomacy system.
-First to introduce the branching growth system.

I could really go on and on.

 

[cubicle47b]

It's a pretty big leap to say Doom was influenced (or rather, even moderately influenced) by Super Mario Bros. Your proof is John Romero listed Squaresoft and Miyamoto games as design influences in an interview about his career *and* he was just a member of the team on Doom (Hall created the initial scenario which Carmack decided against - as far as I can tell, all Romero did besides a little programming was create some level designs). Those are some big leaps.

And, as many other people have pointed out, the influence of Doom goes far, *far* beyond the gameplay.