A modder has equipped the classic Doom with software-based ray tracing. The result on such an old game? Kind of fascinating!
Ray tracing is only for modern games? No way! Some oldies have already been given a makeover based on this technology and are now shining in new splendour – five euros in the phrase bank!
After Kyle Katarn from Jedi Knight 2 was allowed to swing his lightsaber in pretty(er), it’s now the turn of another classic, namely the very first Doom from 1993. What does the result look like? To find out, you’ll have to wait a few more lines.
This special Doom variant really does exist, however, and it also earns plenty of praise in the comments below the video. As in most cases with such old games, it is not real, hardware-based ray tracing as in modern titles, but a software solution that the modder has programmed in. For this he used the open source port called PrBoom.
What does the result look like? Enough rambling, let’s finally let action, er moving images speak! In a video you can get your own impression of Doom with raytracing:
The result can best be described as fascinating. For, on the one hand, the modern feature does not magically make the graphics really good, but on the other hand, it undeniably looks better than the original, which was not designed for such techniques at all.
Above all, the numerous light sources now have a much stronger effect on the illumination of the level, which also benefits the textures. If you own the original game and are not afraid of a bit of tinkering, you can even download the ray tracing mod (download) and try it out.
Are you on the road and want to save data? Then save the video for home and convince yourself of the result with our image comparison:
Want a second helping? On his (YouTube channel) sulim_t has also uploaded a teaser for Half-Life 1 with ray tracing. If you are interested in what came out of it, you can have a look there.
By the way, we did a fascinating (and nerve-racking) experiment some time ago: Playing like 25 years ago! With the technology from back then, we are trying to get the original Doom to work, among other things. That means one thing above all: drama, sweat and tears!
What do you think of the result? Are you interested in old games with modern graphic features, or does something like this only elicit a bored yawn? Let us know in the comments
