Doom Has Been Ported to a PDF File

Doom's Unlikely PDF Port: A Testament to its Enduring Legacy

A high school student has achieved the seemingly impossible: porting the iconic 1993 first-person shooter, Doom, to a PDF file. While the resulting experience is slow, it remains playable, adding another bizarre entry to the long list of unconventional platforms hosting the game.

Doom's compact size (a mere 2.39 megabytes) is a key factor enabling such feats. Its enduring popularity has fueled countless creative endeavors, from previous ports to devices like the Nintendo Alarmo (using its dials and buttons for control) to integrations within other games, such as Balandro. These projects often prioritize ingenuity over performance, showcasing the game's adaptability and the boundless creativity of its fanbase.

This latest PDF port, developed by GitHub user ading2210, leverages the PDF format's JavaScript capabilities for 3D rendering and other functions. However, the limitations of the format necessitate compromises. The game utilizes a single text box per screen row, resulting in a significantly reduced frame rate (80ms per frame) and a monochrome, soundless, textless presentation.

Despite these limitations, the port's existence underscores Doom's lasting impact on gaming. The game's continued relevance, over three decades after its release, is a testament to its innovative design and enduring appeal. The ongoing experimentation with unconventional ports suggests that Doom's journey across unusual platforms is far from over. Expect even more surprising adaptations in the years to come.