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How It Works • Games & Tech

Doom (franchise)

Doom is an American video game franchise built around first-person shooter games set in a science-fiction and horror universe.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Doom is an American video game franchise built around first-person shooter games set in a science-fiction and horror universe. The series follows an unnamed marine, later known as the Doom Slayer, as he fights demons and undead forces, and it is widely credited with helping define the modern first-person shooter genre.

What it is

Doom is a long-running first-person shooter franchise created by a team at id Software. It is known for fast combat, demon-filled settings, and its major impact on video game history.

Key details

The franchise began with Doom, released in 1993, which is considered a pioneering first-person shooter. The games center on a silent protagonist fighting demons and undead enemies from Hell. The original game mixed science fiction and horror elements and became famous for its violence and technical influence.

Why it matters

Doom helped popularize 3D graphics, networked multiplayer, and user-created modifications through WAD files. The 2016 game rebooted the series for modern platforms, while Doom Eternal continued that storyline. The franchise has expanded into sequels and other media, including novels, comics, board games, and films.

In short

  • Pioneering first-person shooter franchise from id Software
  • Blends science fiction and horror with fast combat
  • Influenced 3D graphics, multiplayer, and modding culture
  • Rebooted in 2016 with Doom and Doom Eternal
Canadian angle

Doom has been widely played and studied by Canadian gamers and game developers as a landmark first-person shooter franchise, and its modding and multiplayer influence helped shape PC gaming culture in Canada as well as globally.

Quick questions

What is Doom game?
Doom is a first-person shooter video game series about fighting demons and undead enemies in science-fiction and horror settings.
Who created Doom?
The franchise is credited to John Carmack, John Romero, Adrian Carmack, Kevin Cloud, and Tom Hall.
When was Doom released?
The original Doom was released in December 1993; one source gives the date as December 10, 1993.

Sources

  1. Doom Wiki — https://doom.fandom.com/wiki/Doom
    Supports: Original game's style, setting, influence, and horror/science-fiction framing.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_(1993_video_game)
    Supports: Original release year, developer, genre, and game description.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Doom
    Supports: December 1993 release and historical impact; authorship group led by Romero and Carmack.
  4. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise creators, series overview, protagonist, and sequel context.
  5. Steam — https://store.steampowered.com/app/379720/DOOM/
    Supports: Doom (2016) release date and developer/publisher information.