Shacknews Best Trendsetter of 2024 – Things Running Doom

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As a seasoned gamer with memories stretching back to the mid-90s, I can honestly say that Doom has been a constant companion throughout my gaming journey. The game’s longevity is nothing short of remarkable, and its ability to adapt and thrive on seemingly every platform known to mankind is truly astounding.

Back in 1993, I first got my hands on Doom. Can you believe it’s been over three decades? But this classic game hasn’t lost its charm, not even for a moment, and that’s saying something considering it was all the rage in the mid- to late-90s. What keeps it fresh, apart from a bustling mod community, is the fact that people are finding ways to run Doom on just about anything you can think of!

That trend is hardly unique to 2024. Besides traditional platforms like Linux and various consoles, Doom’s been ported to countless oddball hardware (oddball for video games) for years. Pregnancy tests, Nintendo’s Alarmo clock, gut bacteria, pianos, X/Twitter—the list goes on, and it’ll only get longer as we head into 2025.

One explanation for why Doom continues to be a favorite for porting to various hardware platforms is its built-in adaptability due to its engine and the timeless appeal of its gameplay. Even after more than three decades, Doom’s gameplay has managed to maintain its relevance. It’s easy to grasp; there are no intricate maneuvers like free aiming, jumping, or crouching; nor is there a need for inventory management.

Simplicity in this context implies that the device or process doesn’t require a sophisticated control system to operate effectively. This aspect is beneficial for platforms such as pregnancy tests and gut bacteria studies, as they don’t necessitate intricate management systems due to their straightforward functions.

Despite not personally playing these unanticipated platforms, it’s intriguing to observe where Doom is being run each week, and this will likely continue into next week and beyond. This has become our most engaging trend of the year, and one we’re eager to monitor for years to come.

Check out the rest of the Shacknews Awards in our Year of the Games: 2024 feature.

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2024-12-26 18:27