Revisiting The Classics: How DOOM Influences Modern Game Design

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

4.2

Share

Groundbreaking First-Person Perspective and Fast-Paced Gameplay

DOOM's influence on modern game design is immediately apparent in its revolutionary approach to the first-person perspective and fast-paced action.

Revolutionizing the FPS Genre

DOOM didn't invent the first-person perspective, but it perfected and popularized it within the action genre. Its impact on the FPS genre is undeniable:

• Fast-paced combat: DOOM's emphasis on quick reflexes and aggressive combat set a standard for future FPS titles. The relentless onslaught of demons demanded immediate reactions and strategic weapon usage, a hallmark of the genre even today.
• Weapon variety: The arsenal in DOOM, from the pistol to the iconic shotgun and rocket launcher, provided diverse tactical options, forcing players to adapt their strategies to different enemy types. This approach to weapon design has become a staple of the FPS genre.
• Fluid movement: While not as sophisticated as modern movement systems, DOOM's relatively nimble player movement laid the groundwork for the enhanced mobility seen in contemporary FPS games.

Comparing DOOM's gameplay to modern FPS giants like DOOM Eternal, Halo, and Call of Duty reveals a clear lineage. While these games have evolved with enhanced graphics, intricate storylines, and complex mechanics, the core principles of fast-paced combat, strategic weapon selection, and responsive controls remain directly traceable to DOOM's innovative design.

Impact on Level Design

DOOM's level design was equally groundbreaking. Its intricate, multi-layered maps, full of secrets and interconnected spaces, were unlike anything seen before:

• Verticality: DOOM wasn't afraid of height; levels utilized vertical space effectively, encouraging exploration and adding strategic depth to combat encounters.
• Interconnected spaces: The levels weren't just linear pathways; they were complex mazes with multiple routes and hidden areas, rewarding exploration and strategic thinking.
• Secret areas: Hidden rooms, bonus weapons, and power-ups added replayability and encouraged players to delve deeper into the game world.

This innovative level design philosophy continues to inspire modern game developers. Games like Quake, Half-Life, and countless other titles, across various genres, owe a debt to DOOM's influence on spatial design and level architecture. The emphasis on verticality and interconnected spaces is still a hallmark of compelling level design today.

The Importance of Weapon Variety and Upgrades

Beyond its groundbreaking visuals and gameplay, DOOM's influence on modern game design is also evident in its weapon systems.

Weapon Selection and Player Agency

DOOM's arsenal wasn't just a collection of guns; it was a strategic toolbox. Each weapon had unique strengths and weaknesses:

• Distinct Weapon Attributes: The shotgun's devastating close-range power contrasted with the rocket launcher's explosive area-of-effect damage, forcing players to adapt their tactics based on the situation.
• Player Choice and Strategy: This emphasis on distinct weapon attributes fostered player agency and strategic decision-making, adding depth and replayability.
• Sense of Accomplishment: Mastering each weapon and understanding its effectiveness contributed to the overall satisfaction of playing DOOM.

This design principle of diverse weaponry with distinct attributes and strategic applications continues to influence game design. Modern games such as Borderlands, Gears of War, and even the recent DOOM Eternal carry this legacy, building upon the core ideas established by the original DOOM.

Weapon Upgrades and Power-Ups

The inclusion of power-ups and hidden upgrades further enhanced DOOM's gameplay loop:

• Strategic Use: Power-ups like the Berserk pack or the Backwards-compatible weapon upgrades added another layer of strategic depth, enabling players to turn the tide of battle in dramatic fashion.
• Dynamic Combat Encounters: The unpredictability introduced by power-ups created exciting and dynamic combat encounters.
• Increased Player Engagement: The hunt for hidden upgrades and the strategic use of power-ups kept players engaged and rewarded exploration.

Modern games still use power-ups and upgrade systems inspired by DOOM. The strategic implementation of these elements continues to add layers of depth and engagement to modern game design, across many genres.

Enduring Legacy and Continued Influence

DOOM's influence isn't confined to its initial release; its legacy continues to shape modern gaming.

Remakes, Reboots, and Spiritual Successors

The continued success of DOOM is evidenced by its numerous remakes, reboots, and spiritually-inspired successors:

• Successful Reboots: The 2016 DOOM reboot and its sequel, DOOM Eternal, expertly modernized the classic formula while retaining the core elements that made the original so successful.
• Honoring the Original: These games showcase the lasting appeal of DOOM's core gameplay mechanics, proving that its influence remains powerful and relevant.
• Modernization of Classics: The reboots successfully integrated modern game design elements while retaining the frantic pace and visceral combat that defined the original.

These modern iterations demonstrate the enduring power of DOOM's core design philosophies, showcasing its lasting impact on the FPS genre.

Impact Beyond the FPS Genre

The influence of DOOM extends far beyond the FPS genre:

• Speed and Aggression: The game's relentless pace and aggressive combat have inspired countless action-adventure games, platformers, and even RPGs.
• Visceral Combat: The visceral feel of combat, characterized by impactful sound design and satisfying feedback, has become a sought-after quality in many action games.
• Influence Across Genres: Games from diverse genres have drawn inspiration from DOOM's emphasis on fast-paced action and strategic weapon use.

DOOM's influence is a testament to its groundbreaking design, demonstrating the lasting power of innovative gameplay mechanics and level design.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DOOM's influence on modern game design is undeniable. Its groundbreaking first-person perspective, fast-paced gameplay, diverse weaponry, and innovative level design have set the standard for countless games that followed. From the frantic combat of DOOM Eternal to the strategic depth of countless other titles, the legacy of DOOM continues to resonate throughout the gaming world. Explore the continued impact of DOOM's influence on modern game design by playing the latest installments or revisiting the classic!