Doom Has Been Ported to a PDF File

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

A high school student's remarkable feat has added a new chapter to Doom's (1993) already impressive history of unconventional ports: the game now runs, albeit slowly, within a PDF file. This achievement underscores the game's compact nature and the boundless creativity of its dedicated fanbase.

Doom, a seminal first-person shooter (FPS) from id Software, holds a legendary status in gaming history. Its influence is so profound that it essentially coined the term "FPS," with many early games in the genre often labeled "Doom clones." For years, programmers and enthusiasts have delighted in running Doom on the most unexpected platforms – from refrigerators and alarm clocks to car stereos. This latest port to a PDF file represents a new high in this quirky tradition.

GitHub user ading2210 achieved this by leveraging the PDF format's JavaScript capabilities, which enable 3D rendering, HTTP requests, and monitor detection. However, the limitations of the PDF format necessitated compromises. Instead of using individual text boxes for each pixel (as the 320x200 resolution would require thousands per frame), ading2210 opted for one text box per screen row. This results in a playable, albeit sluggish, experience lacking color, sound, and text, with an 80ms frame rate. A video showcasing the port demonstrates its functionality.

High School Student Brings Doom to PDF

Doom's relatively small size (2.39 MB) is a key factor enabling such ports. Recent examples include a playable version on the Nintendo Alarmo (using its dials and buttons) and within the game Balandro (with noticeable performance limitations, mirroring the PDF version).

These projects aren't solely about achieving optimal performance on unusual hardware. They celebrate the enduring appeal and legacy of Doom, showcasing the ingenuity of its community. Over three decades after its release, Doom continues to inspire experimentation, suggesting that even more bizarre ports await in the future.