Doom Sees SymbOS Port

Doom was that release that made computers cool again. A release that transcended the stuffiness of computers of the time. Much like Myst did the same year (1993), just a different genre. Considering id Software opened their FPS to gamers the world over, it helped keep it in the spotlight. One area this helped was ports to platforms the publisher and developers never thought of. SymbOS being one.

Doom is the same no matter platform

The idea of Doom is simple. Move around a game world and take out baddies. Solve the occasional puzzle such as red door needs red key stuff. Nothing too complex. Enemies were also known to swarm you at inopportune times. A signature style that id Software worked to their advantage. Fans discussed these things, created tactics, bragged about their favorite weapon, and more.

Word of mouth advertising was strong here.

While not a true 3D First Person Shooter, Doom was still able to fake it well enough. Gamers did not care that they could not look up or down – only side to side. There were also plenty of leniencies offered. You did not have to be perfectly lined up to get the shot for instance.

Doom has been ported to many platforms and will continue the spread to new platforms.

Enter SymbOS to revive older computers

SymbOS is a multiplatform operating system that brings modern style amenities Z80 based computers. Amstrad CPC, MSX2, certain Commodore 64/128 computers, etc. This is one of the latest platforms that Doom has been ported to.

The version of Doom ported to SymbOS is based on the Texas Instruments calculators. This means minimal graphics but fun nonetheless.

This article was published on Retro Gaming Magazine.