Doom 3 Reaches Gold Master, Due August 5th 753
Rogerpq3 writes "Yes, this is the official word that [long-awaited PC FPS] DOOM 3 has been code released and has been approved for manufacturing! According to the .plan file of id CEO Todd Hollenshead: 'We literally just hung up with Activision and have confirmed that our latest release candidate has been mutually approved and is finally GOLD. So, the next question is release dates. Retailers in the States will be allowed to pick up games starting at 12:01 AM on August 3rd. The official street date is actually August 5th in the U.S.A., but some of your favorite stores will probably have it early for those of you who have to have it first. Check with your local retailer for that information... [Internationally] the UK will probably get it first, on or about August 6th. Everywhere else will probably be Friday, August 13th (cue Twilight Zone Theme) or close to that date, with just a few exceptions (e.g. Russia and Poland)'."
Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:4, Funny)
If only I could afford a graphics card to actually run Doom on
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:5, Funny)
What, fifty bucks?
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Might be better with Nvidia (Score:3, Informative)
The GeForce 6 6800 Ultra GT vs Radeon X800 XT PE (wish I were making the product names up) seem to have similar performance on the ARB2 render path.
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:4, Informative)
1993: Doom released
1994: Doom II released
1996: Duke Nukem 3D 1.0 came out using modified Doom II engine
1996: Quake released
1997: Quake II released
1999: Quake III released
2004: Doom III released.
So, Id's had 6 major releases in the past 11 years and in the time that 3D Realms has been working on ONE Duke Nukem Forever, Id has had 4 whole games come out.
Let's face it folks, Duke Nukem Forever isn't coming out. 8 years for one game?
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Interesting)
I remember the rumours that LucasArts had pulled the Doom engine apart to develop Dark Forces.
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:5, Informative)
No, Duke3d used a engine developed completely independent of Id, called "BUILD". It was much closer in capabilities to the Quake engine than to the Doom II engine, though many (most?) people considered it inferior to the Quake engine.
See Planet Duke [planetduke.com] for details.
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:5, Insightful)
It really is more related to the Doom engine in design because Quake was "real 3D" where as the Doom/Build engines were basically hacks which is why they ran so much faster.
For instance, it was really a challenge for the developer of the Build engine to have support of a room directly above another room.
Build/Doom engines are raycasters. That's why when you looked up or down (or 3rd-person mode) in the Build/Doom engines walls looked skewed.
The Quake engine was actual 3D and never had this problem.
But, I will say that Duke 3D and Quake came out about the same time and were direct competitors.
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:4, Interesting)
I don't remember any level designs in Duke Nukem 3D where there were rooms directly above other rooms. (In fact, I'm not sure it was possible at all given the way that the builder worked.)
Instead, they would be clever and use teleport to move the user to a different part of the grid where the "upper" room would be (but you wouldn't be able to see out of that upper room). Multi-level towers were usually just built at multiple spots on the world grid with teleports between the levels.
Or they'd play around with the layout so that after running around in a big circle, it felt like you were above the other room.
Sure, it wasn't real 3D, but it was extremely easy to bang out levels since you weren't trying to layout 3D objects without all of the tools of a 3D CAD program. With the builder, you could map out your level design in 2D, then you just went in and changed your floor/ceiling heights to be whatever you wanted. (Duke 3D didn't have "outdoors", just textures that sorta looked like they were outdoors.)
Designing Quake's 3D levels, OTOH, was definitely an order of magnitude more difficult, and you really had to plan ahead. (I'd guess that more modern tools are easier to use... this was back in the 1997-1999 timeframe.)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:4, Interesting)
For the sake of adding a bit more info to your explanation...
In later games using Duke's BUILD engine (written by then-teen-programmer Ken Silverman [advsys.net]) the developers make the "room-over-room" illusion even better by simply doing two render passes. If you are in the upper part, then the first render pass will be the lower room, which since you are outside it doesn't include the ceiling, and then the second render pass renders the upper room using a null texture for the floor making it transparent. You had to line it all up quite carefully, but you could then get a room-above-room illusion that you can actually see, which was pretty neat.
Ken also later added support for voxel (volume pixel) objects, allowing true 3D objects to take the place of selected in-world sprites, although that implementation used low-res voxels so they looked a little blocky.
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Interesting)
Meaning, from each room, you can see and move to the rooms that connected to it. You could infact make a complete circle, and place different things in the same "real" space, but it would work cuz it connects the objects to the rooms, and the rooms are different.
Same thing could be made in the Descent engine (a rather underrated engine, while actually being the first almost real 3D engine, before DN3D and quake)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Insightful)
Wow, even in this day and age, even after the source was released, slashdotters still sprout this old axim. I can't speak for the build engine, but doom was not a raycaster (wolf was), it was a polygon renderer, with bsp-based culling and sorting. The reason the look up-look down was skewed is because the polygons were never meant to be rotated on the x/z axes, and so
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Interesting)
Umm... Quake had gravity? Descent was block-based while Quake was polygon based? Descent spread their people and their RAM more thinly? Descent's artists were obsessed with high-color contrast, which only accentuated the blockyness of it all, while Quake featured muted browns that al
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Informative)
Well let's see here... There have been around 13 releases of various Duke Nukem games since 1991 right up until 2004, not counting DNF.
Not to mention all of the other games that 3D Realms put out (Shadow Warrior, Wolfenstein 3D, Raptor, BioMenace, Max Payne 1/2 etc.). So no, they've been working on far more than just Duke Nukem Forever for 8 ye
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Informative)
Wolfenstein 3D: WOLFENSTEIN! Are you nuts, this is the game that put iD on the map before 3D Realms was a speckle in Miller's eye. Maybe they own the rights now or something, but credit where credit is due.
Max Payne 1/2: Developed by the boys at Remedy way over in Finland. Can't really use this as a excuse for DNF never getting done.
I really don't see why people are waiting for DNF in the first place. Sure, Duke3D was sort of fun in it's time, I us
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Funny)
Of course it is.
You just have to wait Forever....
Relax. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:5, Funny)
Oh, I've got a better history.
1993: Doom released
1 month later I go broke buying a 486
1994: Doom II released
1 month later I go broke buying a better 486
1996: Quake released
1 month later I go broke buying a Pentium
1997: Quake II released
1 month later I go broke buying a Pentium MMX
1999: Quake III released
1 month later I go broke buying a Celeron
id Software is the bane of my existence. Curse you Carmack!
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Funny)
See: Quake(1|2|3)
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Interesting)
Also... aren't we all waiting for the Duke Nukem movie [3drealms.com] as well?
Re:Ah... I can't... oh no... (Score:3, Informative)
I can run Far Cry with pretty much maxed out graphics at 1280X1024 minus antialiasing and anisotropic filtering, so I should be ok for Doom3. I have an AMD Athlon 3000+ XP, a ATI Radeon 9800 XT and 1G RAM, in case you're wondering.
In other news... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:In other news... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
In the earlier game, Doom 2, the subtitle was Hell On Earth. Being on Earth and thus susceptible to its changing climate [imdb.com] one could assume that it is feasible for Hell to freeze over. As for teaching pigs to fly I dunno, BFG maybe?
But then again, it is Hell - an evil place where sanity and rationality are unknown - so maybe there you are taught to fly and there are frozen pigs running around.
Or maybe I'm just talking bullshit.
Re:In other news... (Score:3, Funny)
Well if someone called Hogwash McFly doesn't know, who does know ?
Re:In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
So what's it like not being a virgin anymore?
Re:In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
Oh well... It's amazing. So sad you are never going to experience it. :D
Re:In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
Just watch yourself. One of these days, us Autosexuals will band together and have pride parades!
Re:In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
Is this some weird way of declaring that you have sex with gay cars? Not that I have a problem with that mind you, it's your perogative. I just want to get the message straight. Err, I mean clear.
Now that's a bright idea (Score:5, Funny)
Hey boss... (Score:5, Funny)
Sincerely,
Your groveling employee.
Too bad... (Score:5, Funny)
Nope, you can't take it back. I've already scheduled your vacation into the system.
- Your Boss
Re:Hey boss... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hey boss... (Score:3, Funny)
{ring} {ring}
ME: {checks caller ID} @#!&, hit the mute button. it's my wife...
Wife: What time will you be home from work dear?
Me: Honey, we're swamped, I'll have to work late tonight...
Wife: Ok dear, see you when you get home. Bye. {hangs up}
Me: Ok, un-mute. WTF!!!! You team-killing-fucktard!!!!!!
Re:Now, will all the "vaporware" people step forwa (Score:3)
Screenshots and trailers were released fairly early on to show that it was in fact real.
id's policy has always been to release things when they're done, and it's always been worth the wait. Doom3 has not taken an inordinatedly long time or anything. Compare this to Duke Nukem
Oh sweet honey yes (Score:5, Funny)
Doom 3.
Soon Half-life 2.
The second coming of Jesus.
And then - Duke Nukem Forever will at last be mine!
Re:Oh sweet honey yes (Score:5, Funny)
The second coming of Jesus.
I haven't heard about that one. Who is publishing it? Does anyone have any screenshots?
Re:Oh sweet honey yes (Score:5, Funny)
I haven't heard about that one. Who is publishing it? Does anyone have any screenshots?
It will be based in this [bettybowers.com] movie
Re:Oh sweet honey yes (Score:5, Funny)
Not much... A couple of boards, some nails...
Re:Oh sweet honey yes (Score:3, Funny)
Why don't they just call it "Whole Life"?
The second coming of Jesus.
Sorry, there will be no second coming in the age of instant international media. There will be no saintly 'miracles', either, so there will be no more 'legitimate' saints.
Re:Half-Life 2 == Vapourware? (Score:5, Insightful)
What this really boils down to is that Valve has all the money in the world. Just like ID. They can take their sweet time making games. They don't have to meet deadlines, because they get to set them. They are concerned with making the best game they can and getting it to us when it's finished. I will take that ANYDAY over a rushed to market product that is riddled with bugs and the ending chopped and nice features left off for "expansion packs". If you'll notice well funded companies that actually finish their games rarely need "expansion packs" every 6 months, which is the industries new way of making you pay for a beta test, and then pay again for the finished product.
Thank god Blizzard is taking this same stance with WoW. I'm in Beta, they don't have all the classes even finished yet, there's no way they are releasing in August, and they won't. Every blizzard game has been delayed, and everyone complains, yet how many copies did Diablo 2 sell? Yeaaah
The end of the universe is nigh.... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:The end of the universe is nigh.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:The end of the universe is nigh.... (Score:4, Funny)
Actually.... (Score:5, Funny)
--LordPixie
Awesome! (Score:5, Informative)
"...we're here to tell you that Doom 3 is not only done, it's absolutely mind-blowing."
"You are basically subjecting yourself to a 20 hour cardiac episode."
"...you will never experience a dull moment. Or even a less than mesmerizing one."
"Doom 3 is a masterpiece of art form - staying true to the frantic legacy of the Doom series, while ambitiously reaching new heights and bashing down the doors of the next generation of PC shooter. The bar is raised."
I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!
Re:Awesome! (Score:5, Informative)
And the cover [comcast.net] of the issue.
Re:Awesome! (Score:5, Informative)
A lot can change between RC and gold. Stability, performance. Things can actually get worse. I would take their reviews with a heavy dose of Sodium Chloride.
Re:Awesome! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Awesome! (Score:5, Funny)
I wish I could make them write their reviews with a heavy dose of Sodium Pentothal.
Editor included? (Score:5, Interesting)
The bar has been raised with regards to packaged content editors, after all. Heck, the Morrowind editing tools would let you re-create the entire game!
Re:Editor included? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Editor included? (Score:3, Informative)
Giving id's previous record of releasing tools which all lacked options/user friendlyness, i think this is a good move (Standard Radiant is pure hell to work with, compared to, for example, GTKRadiant.)
And I'm not too sure bout this, but I also think mappers don't have to compile their .map to .bsp , anymore ( a -very- timeconsuming process) as the data in the .map file will be generate
Locked and Loaded (Score:4, Informative)
YES! A hit title that runs on linux right out of the box. Thank you ID Software!
Re:Locked and Loaded (Score:3, Informative)
As he specifically specified win32 when he mentioned the "gone gold" message (in the same chan), I'd assume it's Windows-only for the moment...
Re:Locked and Loaded (Score:3, Informative)
Probably because he doesn't have any to spare. I oredered one 2 weeks ago(dual 1.8, 9600 XT card just to play doom) and it hasn't even shipped yet, lots of others are having problems too, kinda makes me pissed at Apple....
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
amazon (Score:4, Informative)
Hey stupid (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Hey stupid (Score:3, Funny)
The first thing I thought was:
Re:Hey stupid (Score:4, Informative)
From TFA [shacknews.com],
"Internationally, the game will take a few more days to make it to the store shelves. The UK will probably get it first, on or about August 6th. Everywhere else will probably be Friday, August 13th (que Twilight Zone Theme) or close to that date, with just a few exceptions (e.g. Russia and Poland). This isn't because we don't have love for you folks outside the U.S., but the localization and manufacturing process takes a bit longer outside the U.S. where we will have JVC run 24/7 to get the units built. I guess the European manufacturers prefer to give their employees nights and weekends off. Go figure! "
very cool (Score:5, Interesting)
do you think iddqd will still work?
osx version? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:osx version? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:osx version? (Score:3)
First Doom3 review (Score:5, Interesting)
Here is an interesting post [nvnews.net] in the nvNews boards, with the full review, hardware and multiplayer details
Will we see a spike in Intel today, given this PR? (Score:5, Interesting)
I know some will think I am an idiot, but I am an unapologetic id fan. I have played most other FPS games out there, and id just seems to get the "feel" of FPS down to a science. The instant snap is perfect.
I just wish they had included cooperative mode, like in the original Doom. Some of my best gaming experiences were all night coop Doom on nightmare mode. Good times.
Todd
Requirements (Score:5, Informative)
2GHz CPU 512 MB Ram Radeon 9800 5-Channel Audio
Supported Graphics Cards: Ge-Force 4 MX Ge-Force 3 Ge-Force 4 Titanium Ge-Force FX (and higher) ATI 8500, 9000 (and higher)
Call Work.... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Call Work.... (Score:4, Funny)
Reviews and Box Quotes (Score:5, Interesting)
Over on GameTab you can see the large version of the game box and information on the PC Gamer review [gametab.com]. Only time will tell whether the other reviews and gamers fall in line with PC Gamer's opinion.
I think they've got that backwards (Score:5, Funny)
I guarantee you that it will be available on every street corner in Russia and Poland long before it is released anywhere else.
I'm stunned. (Score:3, Interesting)
No, not the release of Doom 3. To quote the poster:
According to the
Somebody's actually running a finger daemon, and it does more than just say "finger disabled for privacy reasons, try sending an e-mail".
Re:I'm stunned. (Score:5, Funny)
My favorite finger story: I'm working an employment fair at my old University, and a cute girl comes over and gives her resume. It's light, we placed it in the "to be made into cool paper airplanes as we pray to Bernoulli" but I noticed she had finger: mane@university.edu on her resume. I tried it, and her
What about Germany? (Score:4, Interesting)
Doom3 Review out (Score:5, Informative)
What about the DEMO? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:What about the DEMO? (Score:3, Insightful)
It'll sure tell me if attempting to read the story with my 18-month-old 1.4GHz AMD/GF4MX eyeballs will blow their retinas out.
DOOM3 will ruin the modern world economy for weeks (Score:5, Funny)
I predict that the release of this game will have so many computer geeks, nerds, gamers, etc. (I'm in all those categories) out of the office for most of August that the following will happen:
IronChefMorimoto
What about SMP? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:What about SMP? (Score:3, Informative)
I don't see why DOOM3 would be different.
Re:What about SMP? (Score:3, Informative)
Whether Doom3 will be SMP capable is another question.
Re:What about SMP? (Score:3, Informative)
it's on cnn too (Score:3, Insightful)
What's the damn holdup with the transition to DVD games? I'm fed up with this Multi-CD crap.
Simple Google Search (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Minimum Specs (Score:5, Funny)
Note that with the minimum configuration, Doom 3 will only run in "text mode".
Re:Minimum Specs (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Minimum Specs (Score:5, Funny)
You are in dark room. There are a couple barrels in one corner. A quickly fading light fixture above provides what little illumination there is.
There is a slobbering demon here.
>Shoot Demon with handgun.
The demon turns to face you, mildly annoyed by your pathetic attempts at exorcism.
>Equip Rocketlauncher
You heft the Rocklauncher to your shoulder. Something on the right side of your body makes a bone-cracking sound.
>Fire Rocketlauncher
Your random display of violence has caused the destruction of a pile of barrels in the corner. The resulting explosion has engulfed the demon, and the failing light fixture above.
It is dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
Re:Minimum Specs (Score:5, Funny)
You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
We need a nostalgic mod point.
Re:Minimum Specs (Score:5, Funny)
New box.
KFG
Re:Hardware Requirements? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Great! (Score:5, Funny)
Get a Diamond video card and call it an anniversary present!
Warning: Only do this ONCE.
Re:Great! (Score:5, Funny)
...per wife...