Difference between revisions of "How to download and run Doom"

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{{NotTroubleshooting}}
 
{{NotTroubleshooting}}
The central experience of the [[Doom]] community is playing the game. If you have never played before, this guide will help you get started.
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The central experience of the Doom community is playing the game. If you have never played before, this guide will help you get started.
  
You will need a computer or game console capable of running Doom (a fairly complete list can be found [[Games|here]]), as well as two pieces of software:
+
You will need a computer, game console, or mobile capable of running Doom. Doom can run on a very wide variety, but this article is intended to cover the basics and assumes common hardware and operating systems of the present. For information on how to run Doom on obsolete hardware, see [[Doom on legacy systems]].
* A version of the program, or ''executable'', which tells the computer how the [[player]]s and [[monsters]] move around and what the [[weapons]] and [[Thing types|other objects]] do, which is compatible with your operating system.
 
* The data file, or ''[[IWAD]]'', which contains all the actual maps and the graphics used to draw them. This is the same for every system. IWADs are most commonly named as ''<tt>&lt;game name&gt;</tt>''<tt>.WAD</tt>.
 
Console versions of Doom always include both of these. If you have a [[Wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Windows]] or [[Wikipedia:Mac OS|Macintosh]] computer, and you buy a prepackaged game from [[Id Software|id Software]], or a retailer or online auction site, both pieces are also included. If you have a different operating system, or you have encountered a bug in the included [[Doom95]], you may require an alternative executable (a [[source port]]) or an emulator; as [[Wikipedia:Open source software|open source]] programs and [[Wikipedia:freeware|freeware]] these are generally free of charge, but do not include the IWAD, which is [[Wikipedia:Proprietary software|proprietary]] software owned by id Software. The [[Freedoom]] project intends to create a non-commercial IWAD, but it is far from complete.
 
  
For more detailed instructions, click on the kind of machine you are using:
+
Most of the Doom games are not available for free, with the exception of the demo versions of the original [[Doom]] and [[Doom 3]]. As an alternative, [[Freedoom]] provides wholly-free games with the full support to play mods on top of it. This article will focus on the Doom games only.
  
== AmigaOS ==
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== Downloading Doom ==
  
== Apple operating systems ==
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=== For computers: GOG.com and Steam===
 +
[[GOG.com]] and [[Steam]] are two digital distributors that sell Doom games. The games are cheap, and are frequently on sale. For newcomers to the series, and not wishing to overspend, Doom II provides the widest support for community [[:Category:Modifications|mods]] and [[Multiplayer|online play]]. [[Doom 3: BFG Edition]] serves as a good introduction for the entire franchise.
  
=== Mac OS X ===
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With the exception of two Mac storefronts for Doom 3, all digital distributions are for the Windows operating system only. Instructions for running on Mac and Linux follow in the text.
  
The original commercial distributions of Doom predate OS X, but several major source ports actively support it. Here is one way to get started:
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==== Doom classic ====
  
# Download the latest version of [[PrBoom]] at the [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=3396 Sourceforge project page]; look for versions marked "prboom stable".
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===== Windows =====
# Mount the disk image. You should get a volume called <tt>PrBoom-N</tt>, where <tt>N</tt> is the version number.
 
# Download the [[shareware]] [[IWAD]]. This can be done at [http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/games/doom/ ibiblio.org]; the file is called <tt>doom1v18.wad.gz</tt>.
 
# Decompress the archive. You should get a file called <tt>doom1v18.wad</tt>.
 
# Rename the IWAD file to <tt>doom.wad</tt>.
 
# Double-click the application, <tt>PrBoom.app</tt>. This brings up the launcher window.
 
# From the <tt>Tools</tt> menu, select <tt>Show Game Folder</tt>. This opens PrBoom's working directory in the [[Wikipedia:Finder (software)|Finder]].
 
# In the Finder, drag the IWAD into the folder you just opened. The <tt>Launch</tt> button in PrBoom should now become active.
 
# Return to PrBoom and click the <tt>Launch</tt> button.
 
# Press <tt>Esc</tt> to bring up the main menu. Before starting a new game, you may want to view or change the controls by selecting <tt>OPTIONS</tt>, then <tt>SETUP</tt>, then <tt>KEY BINDINGS</tt>.
 
  
If you want more than the nine shareware levels, place one of the full IWADs into the directory you opened in step 7 (see the [[#Full version|Windows XP]] section for advice on obtaining them). Note that this version of PrBoom does not recognize the name <tt>[[DOOM1.WAD|doom1.wad]]</tt>, so if you want to use the full version of Doom or [[Ultimate Doom]], remove the shareware IWAD first.
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{|{{prettytable}} style="width: 70%;"
 +
|-
 +
|[[The Ultimate Doom]]
 +
|[http://store.steampowered.com/app/2280/ On Steam]
 +
|[http://www.gog.com/game/the_ultimate_doom On GOG.com]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Doom II]]
 +
|[http://store.steampowered.com/app/2300/ On Steam]
 +
|[http://www.gog.com/game/doom_ii_final_doom On GOG.com]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Master Levels for Doom II]]
 +
|Bundled in Doom Classic Complete below
 +
|Bundled with Doom II above
 +
|-
 +
|[[Final Doom]]
 +
|[http://store.steampowered.com/app/2290/ On Steam]
 +
|Bundled with Doom II above
 +
|-
 +
|[[Doom Classic Complete]]
 +
|[http://store.steampowered.com/sub/18397/ On Steam]
 +
|"Buy Series" option on Ultimate Doom or Doom II page
 +
|}
  
=== Mac OS 8.6 - 9.x ===
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===== Linux =====
  
Although the Doom series was actively marketed to Macintosh users in the mid-1990s, finding a copy in {{CURRENTYEAR}} is quite difficult. Therefore, the following procedure is recommended:
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The GOG.com versions may be extracted with [http://constexpr.org/innoextract/ innoextract] or installed via [https://www.winehq.org/ Wine] to get the IWAD files.
  
# Download the Macintosh executable and [[shareware]] [[IWAD]]. This can be done at [http://www.doomworld.com/classicdoom/info/shareware.php Doomworld.com]; the file is called <tt>MacDoomDemo.hqx</tt>.
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On Steam, you can install the games directly, though you might need some extra setup. Under '''Steam>Setup''', in the '''Steam Play''' category, make sure '''Enable Steam Play for supported titles''' is checked, which should enable installation of some games. Additionally, you may click '''Enable Steam Play for all titles''' to be unrestricted, which allows you to install certain titles such as ''Final Doom'' that aren't explicitly marked as compatible by Valve.
# Decompress the archive. You should get a folder called <tt>Doom I Demo </tt>ƒ.
 
# ''(Optional)''&nbsp; In your Monitors control panel, change the screen depth to 256 colors. If you also change the resolution to 640x480, the game will run faster and fill the screen.
 
# Double-click the executable, <tt>DOOM</tt>.
 
# Choose <tt>New Game</tt> from the <tt>File</tt> menu to begin playing. You may first want to choose <tt>Movement...</tt> from the <tt>Control</tt> menu to see which keys do what.
 
  
If you want more than the nine shareware levels, just remove <tt>DOOM1.WAD</tt> from the folder <tt>Doom I Demo </tt>ƒ and replace it with one of the full IWADs (see the [[#Full version|Windows XP]] section for advice on obtaining those). Because this executable predates [[Ultimate Doom]] and [[Final Doom]], however, it has two significant limitations:
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===== Mac =====
  
* [[Thy Flesh Consumed|Episode IV]] of Ultimate Doom is inaccessible.
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The GOG.com versions may be extracted with [http://constexpr.org/innoextract/ innoextract] or installed via [https://www.winehq.org/ Wine]. The Steam versions can either be installed via Windows Steam under Wine or via the [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD SteamCMD] program.  
* To play Final Doom, you must also have the IWAD for [[Doom II]]. Start the program as though you were going to play Doom II, then press <tt>S</tt> during the opening credits to access the single-player setup screen. Click <tt>Load WAD File...</tt>, locate the Final Doom maps (<tt>TNT.WAD</tt> or <tt>PLUTONIA.WAD</tt>), then click <tt>Start Game</tt>. When the built-in [[demo]] begins, choose <tt>New Game</tt> from the <tt>File</tt> menu.
 
  
In addition, no music will be played unless it is present in [[Knee-Deep in the Dead|Episode I]] of Doom. For instance, all of the intermission screens have music, but level 29 of Doom II does not.
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The app IDs are the numbers in the URL of the Steam store page, e.g., 2280 for The Ultimate Doom and 2300 for Doom 2. For instance, after installing steamcmd and successfully using it to log into your account, you could run the following command:
  
To avoid these problems, you can try a [[source port]]. [http://legacy.newdoom.com/downloads.php#mac Doom Legacy], for example, has been [[Wikipedia:Compiler|compiled]] for this operating system.
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{{c|./steamcmd.sh "+@sSteamCmdForcePlatformType windows" +login [username] +force_install_dir ../doom2 +app_set_config 2300 mod doom2 +app_update 2300 +quit}}
  
=== Mac OS 7.x - 8.5 ===
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Once extracted or downloaded, look for files named *.wad in the directories, these are the main game files you will need to use to play. Specific file names to look for are {{c|doom.wad}}, {{c|doom2.wad}}, {{c|tnt.wad}}, and {{c|plutonia.wad}}.
  
Although the Doom series was actively marketed to Macintosh users in the mid-1990s, finding a copy in {{CURRENTYEAR}} is quite difficult. Therefore, the following procedure is recommended:
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==== Doom 3 ====
 +
===== Windows =====
 +
{|{{prettytable}} style="width: 70%;"
 +
|-
 +
|[[Doom 3]] (original)
 +
|[http://store.steampowered.com/app/9050/ On Steam (Windows)]
 +
|[http://www.macgamestore.com/product/2156/DOOM-3/ On MacGameStore (Mac)]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil]]
 +
| colspan="2" |[http://store.steampowered.com/app/9070/ On Steam]; expansion pack to Doom 3, and requires ownership of the above game on Steam.
 +
|-
 +
|Doom 3 Pack, the two above combined
 +
| colspan="2" |[http://store.steampowered.com/sub/425/ On Steam]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Doom 3: BFG Edition]]
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| [http://store.steampowered.com/app/208200/ On Steam]
 +
| [https://www.gog.com/game/doom_3_bfg_edition On GOG.com]
 +
|}
  
# Download the Macintosh executable and [[shareware]] [[IWAD]]. This can be done at [http://www.doomworld.com/classicdoom/info/shareware.php Doomworld.com]; the file is called <tt>MacDoomDemo.hqx</tt>.
+
===== Linux =====
# Decompress the archive. You should get a folder called <tt>Doom I Demo </tt>ƒ.
 
# ''(Optional)''&nbsp; In your Monitors and Sound control panel, change the screen depth to 256 colors. If you also change the resolution to 640x480, the game will run faster and fill the screen.
 
# Double-click the executable, <tt>DOOM</tt>.
 
# Choose <tt>New Game</tt> from the <tt>File</tt> menu to begin playing. (You may first want to choose <tt>Movement...</tt> from the <tt>Control</tt> menu to see which keys do what.)
 
  
The game needs 5MB of free memory to run at all, and 10MB to run smoothly. If you do not have 10MB of memory, you can speed the game up by choosing <tt>Small Graphics</tt> from the <tt>Options</tt> menu, or by pressing <tt>S</tt> during the opening credits, checking the <tt>"Kill" Finder & Other Apps</tt> box, then restarting the program.
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On Steam, you can install the games directly, though you might need some extra setup. Under '''Steam>Setup''', in the '''Steam Play''' category, make sure '''Enable Steam Play for supported titles''' is checked, as well as checking '''Enable Steam Play for all titles''', which allows you to install titles such as ''Doom 3'' that aren't explicitly marked as compatible by Valve.
  
If the sound is missing or choppy, and you have plenty of memory:
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[[RBDOOM-3-BFG]] is an option for playing Doom 3: BFG Edition on Mac and Linux, however few ready-made packages are available for it. Debian 9 and later includes an ''rbdoom3bfg'' package, but it is lacking in most other operating systems.
  
* for [[Wikipedia:Apple Macintosh#1985 to 1989: The desktop publishing era|680x0]]-based machines, make sure you have [[Wikipedia:Sound Manager|Sound Manager]] 3.0 (or higher), and disable the "[[Wikipedia:QuickTime|QuickTime]] PowerPlug" extension if it is present.
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===== Mac =====
* for [[Wikipedia:PowerPC|PowerPC]]-based machines, make sure you have Sound Manager 3.1 (or higher). Sound Manager 3.0 can also be used if you have the "Apple Multimedia Tuner" extension.
 
  
If you want more than the nine shareware levels, remove <tt>DOOM1.WAD</tt> from the folder <tt>Doom I Demo </tt>ƒ and replace it with one of the full [[IWAD]]s (see the [[#Full version|Windows XP]] section for advice on obtaining them). Because this executable predates [[Ultimate Doom]] and [[Final Doom]], however, it has two significant limitations:
+
For the original Doom 3 and Resurrection of Evil releases on Steam, you will need to run the Windows version of Steam in [http://www.winehq.org/ Wine] to download the games and obtain the CD keys, the latter can be found by clicking the game in your Steam client library list, and then clicking on "CD key" in the large game info window. The game usually runs well via Wine, but instructions for native clients follow below for those with a preference for such.
  
* [[Thy Flesh Consumed|Episode IV]] of Ultimate Doom is inaccessible.
+
==== Doom (2016) ====
* To play Final Doom, you must also have the [[IWAD]] for [[Doom II]]. Start the program as though you were going to play Doom II, then press <tt>S</tt> during the opening credits to access the single-player setup screen. Click <tt>Load WAD File...</tt>, locate the Final Doom maps (<tt>TNT.WAD</tt> or <tt>PLUTONIA.WAD</tt>), then click <tt>Start Game</tt>. When the built-in [[demo]] begins, choose <tt>New Game</tt> from the <tt>File</tt> menu.
 
  
In addition, no music will be played unless it is present in [[Knee-Deep in the Dead|Episode I]] of Doom. For instance, all of the intermission screens have music, but level 29 of Doom II does not.
+
[[Doom (2016)]] is available on [https://store.steampowered.com/app/379720/DOOM/ Steam] for the Windows operating system, with some limited official support for Linux as well via Valve's integration of Wine inside Steam.
  
You can avoid these problems with a [[source port]]. Due to the age of your operating system, however, you may have to [[Wikipedia:Compiler|compile]] it yourself! If you have System 8.1 or later, [http://legacy.newdoom.com/downloads.php#mac Doom Legacy] can be used.
+
=== For computers: demo versions ===
  
== Atari operating systems ==
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For the original Doom, the demo, typically termed [[shareware]], is mirrored in an archive: [http://httpredir.debian.org/debian/pool/non-free/d/doom-wad-shareware/doom-wad-shareware_1.9.fixed.orig.tar.gz doom-wad-shareware_1.9.fixed.orig.tar.gz]. On Windows, you may need to install a program such as [http://7-zip.org/ 7-Zip] to extract it. Mac and Linux should be able to handle it normally.
  
=== MiNT ===
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Doom 3 demos were released on Windows, Linux, and OS X.  You should still be able to use the installers and play them normally on current systems: [http://youfailit.net/pub/idgames/idstuff/doom3/win32/D3Demo.exe D3Demo.exe for Windows], [http://youfailit.net/pub/idgames/idstuff/doom3/linux/doom3-linux-1.1.1286-demo.x86.run doom3-linux-1.1.1286-demo.x86.run for Linux], [http://www.fileplanet.com/157137/150000/fileinfo/DOOM-3-Demo-%5BMac-OSX%5D doom3macdemo.dmg for Mac].
  
=== TOS ===
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A demo for [[Doom (2016)]] is available via the [https://store.steampowered.com/app/379720/DOOM/ Steam store page] for the game.
  
== BeOS ==
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=== For consoles: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch ===
 +
Look for ''Doom'', ''Doom II'', or ''Doom 3'' with the console's store menu. The games should be available for purchase and download like other titles on the systems.
  
== Cell phones ==
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=== For mobile: Android, iPhone, iPad ===
 +
''The Ultimate Doom'' and ''Doom II'' are available for both Android and iOS devices:
 +
* Android
 +
** [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bethsoft.DOOM DOOM]
 +
** [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bethsoft.DOOMII DOOM II]
 +
* iPhone and iPad
 +
** [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doom-classic/id336347946 DOOM]
 +
** [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doom-ii/id1470090748 DOOM II]
  
== Consoles ==
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== Running Doom ==
  
If you have an [[Wikipedia:Xbox 360|Xbox 360]], you should be able to buy games, or at least get advice about buying them, wherever you bought the console, or online. The next paragraph, about secondhand software, applies as well.
+
=== Ultimate Doom, Doom II, and Final Doom ===
  
Doom titles have also been released for the [[Wikipedia:3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]], [[Wikipedia:Atari Jaguar|Atari Jaguar]], [[Wikipedia:Game Boy Advance|Game Boy Advance]], [[Wikipedia:GP2X|GamePark 2X]], [[Wikipedia:GP32|GamePark 32]], [[Wikipedia:Nintendo 64|Nintendo 64]], [[Wikipedia:Sega 32x|Sega 32X]], [[Wikipedia:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]], [[Wikipedia:PlayStation|Sony PlayStation]], [[Wikipedia:Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Nintendo]], {{wp|Tapwave Zodiac}}, and [[Wikipedia:Xbox|Xbox]]. (The [[Wikipedia:Sega Dreamcast|Sega Dreamcast]] port is not an officially licensed product; see [[nxDoom]] for details.) These consoles are all discontinued, but secondhand games can be obtained in various ways, including:
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==== Windows ====
* online auction sites, such as [http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?ht=1&from=R4&satitle=doom&sacat=1249%26catref%3DC6 eBay];
 
* online gaming shops which sell used titles, such as [http://www.gamestop.com/search.asp?filter=0&ckSearchcount=1&orderAscDesc=Asc&linkpage=1&rangeFrom=0&rangeTo=ALL&currentpage=1&keyword=doom&searchtype=quicksearch&platform=0&genre=0&lookin=title&selection=ALL&imageFlag=show&sortby=default&statcd=&publisher=&esrb=&title=&searchcount=50 Gamestop];
 
* brick-and-mortar gaming shops which sell used titles (if your console is ''really'' old, your best bet is a local store, not a national chain like [[Wikipedia:GameStop|GameStop]]);
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea_markets flea markets], thrift shops, garage sales and or yard sales.
 
  
You can read our [[Games#Console versions|articles about console ports]] if you have more than one of these machines and want to know how their Doom versions differ.
+
The GOG.com and Steam distributions come pre-configured with Doom in DOSBox. It works for the original experience, although it can be a bit poor for controls and for performance. As an alternative, you can take the following steps for a native version:
  
== Microsoft operating systems ==
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# Download [https://www.chocolate-doom.org/downloads/{{:Chocolate Doom/Version}}/chocolate-doom-{{:Chocolate Doom/Version}}-win32.zip chocolate-doom-{{:Chocolate Doom/Version}}-win32.zip] and extract it to somewhere such as your Desktop or Documents folders.<br/>If you downloaded the shareware version, place <tt>doom1.wad</tt> in the folder with Chocolate Doom.
 +
# Run chocolate-doom-setup and configure the game to your preferences. See [[Choco:Setup|Setup]] on the [[Chocolate Doom]] wiki for complete documentation.
 +
# Click ''Save parameters and launch DOOM'' to start playing; or use ''Warp'' to select specific games in case you have multiple.
  
=== Windows Vista/7 ===
+
==== Linux ====
  
: ''See [[How to play Doom on modern Windows systems]].''
+
<!-- Chocolate Doom development HEAD has code for automatically loading Doom installed via Steam. Will update this section in the future when a new release happens -->
  
=== Windows 2000/XP ===
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# Check your packaging software for ''chocolate-doom'' and install it. It is available on all major Linux distributions.
 +
# Copy a game WAD file into the <tt>~/.local/share/games/doom</tt> directory, which will probably have to be manually created first. Depending on how you installed or extracted it, it may be found in <tt>~/.steam/root</tt> or under <tt>~/.wine/drive_c</tt>.
 +
# Look for ''Chocolate Setup'' in your desktop menu or app drawer, or run <tt>chocolate-setup</tt> from the Terminal. Configure the game to your preferences; see [[Choco:Setup|Setup]] on the [[Chocolate Doom]] wiki for complete documentation.
 +
# Click ''Save parameters and launch DOOM'' to start playing; or use ''Warp'' to select specific games in case you have multiple.
  
====''Shareware version (free, but only has nine levels)''====
+
==== Mac ====
There are many different ways to run Doom on a [[Wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Windows]] computer. Here is one method.
 
  
# Download the [[Doom95]] archive with the included [[shareware]] [[IWAD]] (a file named <tt>DOOM1.WAD</tt>). This can be done [http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=7053 here].
+
# Download [https://www.chocolate-doom.org/downloads/{{:Chocolate Doom/Version}}/chocolate-doom-{{:Chocolate Doom/Version}}.dmg chocolate-doom-{{:Chocolate Doom/Version}}.dmg], open it, and drag the package to ''Applications'' as displayed.
# Decompress the archive. You should get a folder called <tt>doom95</tt>.
+
# Open Chocolate Doom as you would any program (e.g. from "Applications" on the Dock).
# Ignore the Doom95 executable and instead obtain a modern version of the Doom executable as [[#Alternatives to Doom95 and vanilla Doom|instructed below]].
+
# Click ''Configure'', then click the ''Set'' button for one of the games you downloaded above.  If it's the shareware version, use the Doom button.
 +
# Locate the corresponding WAD file on your hard drive, highlight it, and click ''Open''. Repeat for any additional WAD files, then click ''Close''.
 +
# Choose a game from the upper drop-down list.
 +
# Optionally, click ''Run Setup Tool...'' to configure the game, including setting a playable display mode.
 +
# Click ''Launch'' to begin playing.
  
====''Full version''====
+
=== Doom 3 ===
The numerous ways to obtain a full version of Doom include:
 
  
* Pay to download any of the classic [[Doom games]] via [[Steam]] (US$9.99 per title). This is equally as fast as downloading the games from id Software, but installation of the Steam software is necessary and credit card is required for payment. The games are the original [[Wikipedia:MS-DOS|DOS]] versions which run under the [[DOSBox]] [[Wikipedia:Emulator|emulator]], which is the most developed way to run the original, unaltered version of the Doom games on modern systems. However, DOSBox has speed problems with older systems, and setting the games up to [[Steam#How to use source ports with games downloaded from Steam|run in an alternative, Windows-native executable]] (called [[source port]]) is often a better choice for such systems.
+
==== Windows ====
* Search for "Doom" on an online auction site such as [http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?ht=1&from=R4&satitle=doom&sacat=1249%26catref%3DC6 eBay]. For instance, on eBay, there are usually at least a dozen copies of Doom and Doom II for sale at any given time, and because the game is so old, you might be the only bidder for a particular item.
 
* Visit a brick-and-mortar gaming shop and look through the discount/clearance shelf, particularly for a compilation like [[Depths of Doom Trilogy|The Depths of Doom Trilogy]] (1997) or [[Collector's Edition|Doom Collector's Edition]] (2003). Note that collections of user-created levels, such as [[D!Zone]], generally do ''not'' include the executable or [[IWAD]].
 
  
====''Alternatives to [[Doom95]] and [[vanilla Doom]]''====
+
Once you have Doom 3 installed via Steam, in its original or BFG Edition release, you are already good to go. Simply launch the game via Steam or a shortcut and have fun.
For most Doom fans today, modern community-developed versions of the Doom executable (called [[Source port#Desktop|source ports]]) are the preferred method to play the game. Source ports are generally more compatible with modern Windows systems and usually feature an array of various [[:Category:New features|new features]] and bug fixes.
 
  
To install and launch a source port, you most commonly do the following:
+
==== Linux ====
  
# Install whatever program came with the [[IWAD]] you want to use.
+
If you have installed Doom 3 via Steam, which uses Wine for compatibility, you may attempt launching and playing that way. Since it is not, as of October 2018, a title explicitly marked as compatible, your mileage may vary. The following instructions may also be used for a Linux-native mode of play.
# Open the homepage of your preferred source port, browse to its download page and download the archive that includes the port's Windows version.
 
# Decompress the source port's archive, and put all the files/folders into the same folder as the IWAD.
 
# Double-click the source port's main executable (for example, <tt>zdoom.exe</tt> or <tt>prboom.exe</tt>).
 
  
Relatively stable and feature-rich programs include [[Doom Legacy]], [[Doomsday]], the [[Eternity Engine]], [[GZDoom]], [[PrBoom+]], [[Risen3D]], and [[ZDoom]]. For a multiplayer experience, try [[Odamex]], [[Zandronum]], and [[ZDaemon]].
+
# Download [http://youfailit.net/pub/idgames/idstuff/doom3/linux/doom3-linux-1.3.1.1304.x86.run doom3-linux-1.3.1.1304.x86.run] and mark it executable, either through your GUI file manager or <tt>chmod +x doom3-linux-1.3.1.1304.x86.run</tt> on the command line.
 +
# Run the file and install the engine. If you are on a 64-bit OS, note this is a 32-bit program, seek out your distribution help for getting 32-bit software to run properly.
 +
# Copy the <tt>base/pak000.pk4</tt>, <tt>base/pak001.pk4</tt>, <tt>base/pak002.pk4</tt>, <tt>base/pak003.pk4</tt>, <tt>base/pak004.pk4</tt> files from your Steam Doom 3 installation to the location you installed the Doom 3 engine in the previous step, retaining their location under <tt>base</tt>
 +
# Copy the <tt>d3xp/pak000.pk4</tt> file in the same manner, if you bought Resurrection of Evil as well, likewise retaining its location under <tt>d3xp</tt>
 +
# Launch Doom 3 via your desktop menu, app drawer, or from the Terminal with the <tt>doom3</tt> command.
  
====''Playing vanilla Doom''====
+
==== Mac ====
To play using the [[vanilla Doom|original MS-DOS version]] of [[Doom]], [[Doom II]], or [[Final Doom]], the following additional steps are recommended:
 
  
# Know how to use the [[Wikipedia:MS-DOS|DOS]] command line, or be willing to learn.
+
Warning: The official game releases are 32-bit and will only run on macOS 10.14 or lower. Getting a 64-bit executable for Doom 3 or Doom 3: BFG Edition may require [[dhewm3]] or [[RBDOOM-3-BFG]].
# Before you buy an [[IWAD]], make sure it comes with the DOS version of the executable. For instance, [[Versions|version 1.666]] does, but the Collector's Edition does not. However, it is also possible to download the original executable along with the [[shareware]] version of Doom [http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=7043 here]. The Ultimate Doom and Final Doom executables are not legally available for download without buying the games.
 
# On [[Wikipedia:Windows NT|Windows NT]] systems the game may run, but without sound. If this is the case, either turn off the sound effects and music with the <tt>-nosound</tt> [[command line argument]], or install a third-party utility program such as [http://www.softsystem.co.uk/page4.html SoundFX 2000] or [http://sourceforge.net/projects/vdmsound/ VDMSound].
 
# If you own a relatively modern system and want full sound support, try using [http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/download.php?main=1 DOSBox], a multi-platform MS-DOS [[Wikipedia:Emulation|emulator]].
 
  
Another way to recreate the vanilla Doom experience on modern operating systems is [[Chocolate Doom]], which purposely imitates the original's behavior and limitations as closely as possible. If your purpose is to participate in [[speedrunning]], keep in mind that, along with any other third-party executables, it is not allowed for submissions to the renowned [[Speedrun#Compet-n rules for recording demos|Compet-n]] site, or to any other site which has adopted Compet-n's rules.
+
# If you purchased the native OS X version, follow the vendor's instructions for installation and launch. Unless your system is fairly new, be prepared to reduce resolution and disable some graphical features to get a playable frame rate.
  
=== Windows 95/98/Me ===
+
=== Doom (2016) ===
  
Due to the widespread usage of [[Wikipedia:Windows 95|Windows 95]] and its descendants, there are many different ways to run Doom on your computer. Here is one method.
+
==== Windows ====
  
# Download the [[Doom95]] executable and [[shareware]] IWAD. This can be done [http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=7053 here].
+
As with other Steam games, the game should be ready to run as soon as it is downloaded and installed.
# Decompress the archive. You should get a folder called <tt>doom95</tt>.
 
# Within that folder, double-click <tt>SETUP.EXE</tt>, and follow the on-screen instructions as you would when installing any other program.
 
# Find the Doom shortcut you just created on your desktop or in your Start menu. If you used the default folder names in the setup wizard, there should be a Doom folder inside the Programs folder of the Start menu. When you open the shortcut, the Doom95 [[GUI launcher|launcher]] window will appear.
 
# Choose a map and a difficulty level, then click the <tt>New Game</tt> button to begin. (You may want to click the <tt>Configuration...</tt> button first to see which keys do what.)
 
  
If you want more than the nine shareware levels, replace <tt>doom1.wad</tt> with one of the full IWADs (see the [[#Full version|Windows XP]] section for advice on obtaining those).
+
==== Linux ====
  
If the game's graphics are distorted or discolored, make sure you have the version of [[Wikipedia:DirectX|DirectX]] which was current at the time your version of Windows was published. For example, if you have [[Wikipedia:Windows 98#Windows 98 Second Edition|Windows 98 SE]], you need DirectX version 8.
+
Doom (2016) is provided via Steam as available for play on Linux, using a version of Wine to achieve compatibility since it is only provided as a Windows binary. You may download and run it like any other game on Steam.
  
=== Windows 3.x ===
+
==== Mac ====
  
=== MS-DOS ===
+
No official support for running Doom (2016) on the Mac operating system exists, however it may be possible to install the Windows version of Steam via [https://www.winehq.org/ Wine] and run it there.
The original Doom versions run natively on [[Wikipedia:MS-DOS|MS-DOS]], although obtaining them can be tricky. Here are a few different methods you can try.
 
  
====''Shareware version (free, but only has nine levels)''====
+
== Beyond the basics: Doom classic ==
* Download the [[shareware]] [[IWAD]] and executable [http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=7043 here]. Next download the PKUNZIP utility from [http://membrane.com/synapse/library/pkunzip.html this page] and use it to unpack the Doom shareware ZIP file to a temporary directory. Switch to that directory and execute install.bat which should install the game. Note: it is possible to use the shareware executable with all the Doom [[IWAD]]s. Unfortunately this means [[Ultimate Doom]]'s [[Thy Flesh Consumed|fourth episode]] is not available and the [[Final Doom]] episodes only function if the IWADs are renamed to <tt>doom2.wad</tt>.
 
  
====''Full version''====
+
This how to article has purposely oversimplified the process of running Doom. In its long history of modding and [[wikipedia:open source|open source]] nature since 1997, there are multitudes of possibilities for obtaining Doom on physical media, old consoles, and other formats. There are also a near-endless supply of engine ports to other operating systems and devices, both historic and modern. We have focused on running the game with Chocolate Doom, an engine that expressly eschews enhancements and new features, presenting the game exactly the same as the original [[wikipedia:MS-DOS|DOS]] version, only fixed to run on new systems.
* Search for "Doom" on an online auction site such as [http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?ht=1&from=R4&satitle=doom&sacat=1249%26catref%3DC6 eBay]. For instance, on eBay, there are usually at least a dozen copies of [[Doom]] and [[Doom II]] for sale at any given time, and because the game is as old as it is, you might be the only bidder for a particular item.
 
* Use a Windows system to buy and download the games via [[Steam]] (US$9.99 per title). This is an extremely quick and easy method, but installation of the Steam software is necessary and credit card is required for payment. After downloading the games you can copy them over from <tt><''Steam directory''>\SteamApps\Common\<''game name''>\base</tt> to your DOS system.
 
  
====''Alternatives to the original DOS executables''====
+
=== Enhanced ports ===
Instead of the original Doom executables you can also use an alternative fan-developed versions of the Doom executable (called [[source port#DOS|source ports]]) which usually feature various bug fixes and new features not available in the original Doom versions. One popular DOS source port is [[MBF]] which can be downloaded {{ig2|id=9895|here}}. Simply unpack the ZIP file to the directory where the [[IWAD]] is located at and run the source port executable. This way you do not need the original executables at all.
 
  
=== Windows NT 4 ===
+
With the open source nature of the Doom engine, most derivatives, commonly known as [[Source port|''source ports'']] or just ''ports'', focus on removing limitations of the original game, adding features, making graphical enhancements, and improving support for modding. A few of the most popular enhanced ports are:
  
=== Windows NT 3.5x ===
+
* [[Doomsday]]
 +
* [[Eternity Engine]]
 +
* [[GZDoom]]
 +
* [[Odamex]]
 +
* [[PrBoom+]]
 +
* [[Zandronum]]
 +
* [[ZDaemon]]
  
''Note: These instructions '''may''' apply to Windows NT 3.1 as well.''
+
=== Mods ===
  
You will run into several problems when trying to install and run Doom on [[Wikipedia:Windows NT 3.5|Windows NT 3.5]] or [[Wikipedia:Windows NT 3.51|3.51]]. The first caveat is that Windows NT 3.5 will not work on Pentium Pro processors or newer (e.g. Pentium II, III, AMD K6, Athlon, etc). Instead, use Windows NT 3.51.
+
[[:Category:Modifications|Mods]], also commonly known as ''WADs'' or ''PWADs'', are widely available, with the [[idgames archive]] providing the largest and most active resource for obtaining them. If you continue to use Chocolate Doom, since it lacks extra features, you will have to look out for entries that say they support ''doom.exe'', ''doom2.exe'', or ''vanilla Doom''. Many mods will require the use of an [[#Enhanced ports|enhanced port]] and will dutifully make note of that as well. ''Limit-removing'' or ''Boom'' mods can run in most available ports, otherwise you will have to use the specified port.
  
The installation of NT 3.5x can be rather tricky, and unless you are prepared with the proper network card drivers (or have one of the few cards NT can detect natively), you may not be successful in connecting to a LAN or the Internet. In this case, these instructions can be carried out by transferring the files via floppy disks or CD-R discs, though you obviously will not need a web browser.
+
=== Multiplayer ===
  
No web browser, by default, is installed in this early version of Windows NT. A web browser will be necessary to download the source port to run Doom on this operating system, and will also come in handy for other uses. It is recommended that you use the built-in FTP client (ftp.exe) to download an evaluation version of Opera 3.60, or another similar old version. If you have a way to transfer the setup executable to the computer running Windows NT 3.5x (over a LAN, for instance), the evaluation version of Opera 3.60 [http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=opera available from Oldversion.com] works well. If not, use NT's built-in FTP client to connect anonymously to <tt>ftp.cdrom.com</tt>, navigate to the <tt>/pub/simtelnet/win3/inet/</tt> directory, download <tt>ow362e16.exe</tt>, and install it.
+
Doom has an active multiplayer base to this day, often with the support of mods and with enhanced ports. While Chocolate Doom has multiplayer capabilities, it is both extremely limited in game modes (as was the original), and lacks a permanent online player base; playing multiplayer with Chocolate Doom will almost certainly require setting up a game with friends.
  
Next, you will need to download the [[shareware]] version of the PKUNZIP utility from [http://membrane.com/synapse/library/pkunzip.html this page]. This is necessary if you wish to unzip compressed ZIP files (for instance, the shareware version of Doom). Place it in a temporary directory.
+
The most popular ports for playing online multiplayer, all of which with an active player base are (in alphabetical order):
  
You will now want to either transfer your Doom [[IWAD]]s to the NT 3.5x machine, or [http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=7043 download the shareware version of Doom]. If transferring your IWADs manually, take note that the [[vanilla Doom]] executables ''will run'' on NT 3.5x, although sluggishly and without music or digitized sound effects. If downloading the shareware version, unzip it using PKUNZIP, run the installer program, and install shareware Doom to your hard drive.
+
* [[Odamex]]
 +
* [[Zandronum]]
 +
* [[ZDaemon]]
  
If you manage to get the proper sound and video drivers installed in NT 3.5x, you will be able to play Doom using a [[source port]]. Otherwise, you will be stuck in VGA mode (16 colors) and have no sound. Using the [[Wikipedia:MS-DOS|DOS]] executables may be a better choice if that is the case.
+
For a more complete guide, please see [[How to play Doom online multiplayer]].
 
 
A number of the more modern Windows source ports will not function on Windows NT 3.5x because it does not support [[Wikipedia:DirectX|DirectX]]. The ([[purist]]) [[Chocolate Doom]] port is known to work on Windows NT 3.51 (so long as you use Windows GDI instead of DirectX for rendering). Other source ports also using [[Wikipedia:Simple DirectMedia Layer|SDL]] as a base, such as [[PrBoom]], may work as well if configured in the same way.
 
 
 
Another (older) option that was developed for early Windows NT versions is [http://www.s2.org/ntdoom/ NTDoom]. To obtain it, download the latest binaries from its [http://www.s2.org/ntdoom/ home page] and extract the ZIP file (using PKUNZIP) to your Doom directory. The file <tt>.doomrc</tt> that NTDoom generates acts much like the configuration file produced by [[SETUP.EXE]]. You can either edit this file manually to modify how NTDoom works, or use the contents of DEFAULT.CFG after making changes with SETUP.EXE.
 
 
 
== OS/2 ==
 
 
 
DOS versions of Doom version will run in a DOS full screen session but sound does not work, as with Windows NT.
 
 
 
You can try DOSBox, as it has been ported to OS/2.
 
 
 
Doom was also natively ported to OS/2, with versions available [http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/h-browse.php?dir=/pub/os2/games/action/doom here].
 
 
 
== PDAs ==
 
 
 
=== Palm OS ===
 
 
 
=== Windows CE ===
 
 
 
== Portable media players ==
 
 
 
===iPod===
 
 
 
===Rockbox===
 
[[Wikipedia:Rockbox|Rockbox]], a custom firmware for certain [[Wikipedia:iPod|iPods]], [[Wikipedia:Iriver#Portable Music Players|irivers]], and other various portable media players, has a Doom port called [[Rockdoom]] which is included by default in Rockbox builds.
 
 
 
== Unix/[[Wikipedia:Unix-like|Unix-like]] ==
 
 
 
=== BSD ===
 
 
 
=== GNU/Linux ===
 
 
 
In 1994, [[id Software]] released [[Wikipedia:Linux|Linux]] versions of Doom. Although these versions can still be obtained (see the [http://www.doomworld.com/classicdoom/info/shareware.php Doomworld.com shareware page], for example), Linux has changed a lot since 1994, and they probably will not work on your computer. Therefore, you will need to use a [[source port]].
 
 
 
==== Precompiled binaries ====
 
 
 
Some source ports offer precompiled binaries for generic Linux, or for certain distributions such as [[Debian]] or [[Ubuntu]]. If you decide to use a precompiled package, follow its installation instructions.
 
 
 
==== Compilation ====
 
 
 
Depending on the [[source port]] you are hoping to compile and play, you must first download the correct source code. The source code is usually contained as a ''.tar.gz'' or ''.tar.bz2''. Depending on the type of archive, you must first extract it via the command line or any other tool that suits your needs. If you use the command line, you must execute the following command:
 
 
 
If you have downloaded a .tar.gz:
 
tar -xzvvf <file name here>.tar.gz
 
 
 
If you have downloaded a .tar.bz2:
 
tar -xjvvf <file name here>.tar.bz2
 
 
 
Once the source is extracted, you will need to change into the source directory. Once you are inside you need to determine how it is built. Currently, there are multiple flavors to build source code within Linux.
 
 
 
* Configure ([[PrBoom]], and [[Odamex]])
 
** A file named ''configure.sh'' should exist in the current directory.
 
* Auto-gen with configure ([[Chocolate Doom]])
 
** A file named ''autogen.sh'' should exist in the current directory.
 
* Makefile Only ([[Doom Legacy]], and [[ReMooD]])
 
** There should only be a file named ''makefile'' and/or ''GNUmakefile'' and not any of the above.
 
 
 
===== Configure based =====
 
 
 
This setup requires multiple steps and is slightly more advanced. To start the configure script you must execute the following command:
 
 
 
./configure.sh
 
 
 
If the configuration fails, you must do as it instructs. Usually when it does fail, you do not have a required dependency to build the [[source port]]. If that is the case, then you must install the development libraries required. Once configuration is complete, you may then execute the following command:
 
 
 
make
 
 
 
If compilation is successful you may then either run the came or execute <tt>make install</tt> if you wish to install it onto your system. If compilation fails, you will have to make source code changes yourself or contact the source code maintainer.
 
 
 
===== Auto-gen based =====
 
 
 
When in the current directory, execute the following command:
 
 
 
./autogen.sh
 
 
 
Then follow with the Configure Based instructions.
 
 
 
===== Makefile based =====
 
 
 
The method is the simplest and most likely always requires only a single command to build the game. All you need to do is execute the following command:
 
 
 
make
 
 
 
If compilation is successful you may then either run the came or execute <tt>make install</tt> if you wish to install it onto your system. If compilation fails, you will have to make source code changes yourself or contact the source code maintainer.
 
 
 
Please note that if you are attempting to build [[Doom Legacy]], you should use <tt>make SDL=1</tt> as by default Doom Legacy defaults to DJGPP, a DOS targetting compiler.
 
 
 
==== Running the game ====
 
 
 
Once you have compiler and optionally installed the desired source port, you will need to setup the proper [[WAD]]s. Depending on the source port you are using, you may have multiple choices or just a single one. Once the game is setup, you will need to refer to [[source port]] documentation on how to configure the game.
 
 
 
===== Windows method =====
 
This setup requires you to either place your [[WAD]]s in the current working directory or state their exact location when using -iwad and/or -file. It is the standard way which is supported on every [[source port]], however it usually requires more typing.
 
 
 
===== *nix method =====
 
The original Linux executable looked for an IWAD in the [[environment variable]] DOOMWADDIR, and most *nix ports also do. Some recent [[source port]]s (such as [[ReMooD]], [[Odamex]], and [[Chocolate Doom]]) also can look in variable DOOMWADPATH. It is only needed to set these environment variables once. DOOMWADDIR consists of a single directory such as "/usr/share/games/doom", whereas DOOMWADPATH may consist of multiple directories separated by a colon. Once the variables are set you may then launch the game; parameters -iwad and/or -file need not to include full path after that. If you do not wish to set any environment variables and you are using either [[ReMooD]] or [[Odamex]] you may add the following parameter when launching the game.
 
 
 
-waddir <directory>
 
 
 
=== Irix ===
 
 
 
Id software released an unofficial port of Doom to SGI Irix machines, but it is quite old at this point and may be difficult to set up. More information is available at [http://www.gamers.org/dhs/helpdocs/sgidoomfaq.html SGI DOOM FAQ].
 
 
 
=== NeXTSTEP ===
 
 
 
=== QNX ===
 
 
 
=== RISC/os ===
 
 
 
=== Solaris ===
 
 
 
== Web browser ==
 
 
 
: ''See [[Source port#Other and Esoteric]].''
 
 
 
== More advanced topics ==
 
 
 
If the game is running, but you are having a lot of trouble finding your way through the levels, you can read our [[Levels|walkthroughs]].
 
 
 
If you want to do more than just play the standard levels in single-player mode, your options are varied. You can try:
 
* Playing [[multiplayer]] games.
 
* Playing [[:Category:Modifications|add-on levels]] (known as [[PWAD]]s).
 
* Playing a different Doom-[[Doom engine|engine]] [[Games#Other games using the Doom engine|game]] (such as [[Heretic]], [[Hexen]], or [[Strife]]).
 
* Recording and watching [[demo]]s.
 
* [[Speedrun]]ning (competing against other players for the fastest demo on a given map).
 
* [[Editing:Index|Creating your own levels]].
 
* Helping to program, debug, or test a [[source port]].
 
* Otherwise interacting with the (still active) community of Doom fans; for instance, there are Doom [[websites|web sites]], [[IRC|IRC channels]], and [[Usenet groups]].
 
 
 
== Sources ==
 
 
 
* [http://www.doomworld.com/vb/doom-general/42220-getting-doom-on-the-mac-to-work/ "Getting Doom on the Mac to work"], thread at the [[Doomworld forums]]
 
* [http://www.doomworld.com/vb/doom-general/18077-read-this-doom-on-windows-steam/ "READ THIS! Doom on Windows / Steam"], thread at the [[Doomworld forums]]
 
  
 
[[Category:Tutorials]]
 
[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:Cleanup]]
 

Revision as of 15:35, 3 August 2019

Information icon.svgNote: This article is not a general troubleshooting guide for any of the operating systems listed below. It assumes that your hardware and existing software is set up correctly; even then, it probably does not pertain to every possible configuration. If you are having computer problems, please seek help wherever you would normally seek help.

The central experience of the Doom community is playing the game. If you have never played before, this guide will help you get started.

You will need a computer, game console, or mobile capable of running Doom. Doom can run on a very wide variety, but this article is intended to cover the basics and assumes common hardware and operating systems of the present. For information on how to run Doom on obsolete hardware, see Doom on legacy systems.

Most of the Doom games are not available for free, with the exception of the demo versions of the original Doom and Doom 3. As an alternative, Freedoom provides wholly-free games with the full support to play mods on top of it. This article will focus on the Doom games only.

Downloading Doom

For computers: GOG.com and Steam

GOG.com and Steam are two digital distributors that sell Doom games. The games are cheap, and are frequently on sale. For newcomers to the series, and not wishing to overspend, Doom II provides the widest support for community mods and online play. Doom 3: BFG Edition serves as a good introduction for the entire franchise.

With the exception of two Mac storefronts for Doom 3, all digital distributions are for the Windows operating system only. Instructions for running on Mac and Linux follow in the text.

Doom classic

Windows
The Ultimate Doom On Steam On GOG.com
Doom II On Steam On GOG.com
Master Levels for Doom II Bundled in Doom Classic Complete below Bundled with Doom II above
Final Doom On Steam Bundled with Doom II above
Doom Classic Complete On Steam "Buy Series" option on Ultimate Doom or Doom II page
Linux

The GOG.com versions may be extracted with innoextract or installed via Wine to get the IWAD files.

On Steam, you can install the games directly, though you might need some extra setup. Under Steam>Setup, in the Steam Play category, make sure Enable Steam Play for supported titles is checked, which should enable installation of some games. Additionally, you may click Enable Steam Play for all titles to be unrestricted, which allows you to install certain titles such as Final Doom that aren't explicitly marked as compatible by Valve.

Mac

The GOG.com versions may be extracted with innoextract or installed via Wine. The Steam versions can either be installed via Windows Steam under Wine or via the SteamCMD program.

The app IDs are the numbers in the URL of the Steam store page, e.g., 2280 for The Ultimate Doom and 2300 for Doom 2. For instance, after installing steamcmd and successfully using it to log into your account, you could run the following command:

./steamcmd.sh "+@sSteamCmdForcePlatformType windows" +login [username] +force_install_dir ../doom2 +app_set_config 2300 mod doom2 +app_update 2300 +quit

Once extracted or downloaded, look for files named *.wad in the directories, these are the main game files you will need to use to play. Specific file names to look for are doom.wad, doom2.wad, tnt.wad, and plutonia.wad.

Doom 3

Windows
Doom 3 (original) On Steam (Windows) On MacGameStore (Mac)
Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil On Steam; expansion pack to Doom 3, and requires ownership of the above game on Steam.
Doom 3 Pack, the two above combined On Steam
Doom 3: BFG Edition On Steam On GOG.com
Linux

On Steam, you can install the games directly, though you might need some extra setup. Under Steam>Setup, in the Steam Play category, make sure Enable Steam Play for supported titles is checked, as well as checking Enable Steam Play for all titles, which allows you to install titles such as Doom 3 that aren't explicitly marked as compatible by Valve.

RBDOOM-3-BFG is an option for playing Doom 3: BFG Edition on Mac and Linux, however few ready-made packages are available for it. Debian 9 and later includes an rbdoom3bfg package, but it is lacking in most other operating systems.

Mac

For the original Doom 3 and Resurrection of Evil releases on Steam, you will need to run the Windows version of Steam in Wine to download the games and obtain the CD keys, the latter can be found by clicking the game in your Steam client library list, and then clicking on "CD key" in the large game info window. The game usually runs well via Wine, but instructions for native clients follow below for those with a preference for such.

Doom (2016)

Doom (2016) is available on Steam for the Windows operating system, with some limited official support for Linux as well via Valve's integration of Wine inside Steam.

For computers: demo versions

For the original Doom, the demo, typically termed shareware, is mirrored in an archive: doom-wad-shareware_1.9.fixed.orig.tar.gz. On Windows, you may need to install a program such as 7-Zip to extract it. Mac and Linux should be able to handle it normally.

Doom 3 demos were released on Windows, Linux, and OS X. You should still be able to use the installers and play them normally on current systems: D3Demo.exe for Windows, doom3-linux-1.1.1286-demo.x86.run for Linux, doom3macdemo.dmg for Mac.

A demo for Doom (2016) is available via the Steam store page for the game.

For consoles: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Look for Doom, Doom II, or Doom 3 with the console's store menu. The games should be available for purchase and download like other titles on the systems.

For mobile: Android, iPhone, iPad

The Ultimate Doom and Doom II are available for both Android and iOS devices:

Running Doom

Ultimate Doom, Doom II, and Final Doom

Windows

The GOG.com and Steam distributions come pre-configured with Doom in DOSBox. It works for the original experience, although it can be a bit poor for controls and for performance. As an alternative, you can take the following steps for a native version:

  1. Download chocolate-doom-3.0.1-win32.zip and extract it to somewhere such as your Desktop or Documents folders.
    If you downloaded the shareware version, place doom1.wad in the folder with Chocolate Doom.
  2. Run chocolate-doom-setup and configure the game to your preferences. See Setup on the Chocolate Doom wiki for complete documentation.
  3. Click Save parameters and launch DOOM to start playing; or use Warp to select specific games in case you have multiple.

Linux

  1. Check your packaging software for chocolate-doom and install it. It is available on all major Linux distributions.
  2. Copy a game WAD file into the ~/.local/share/games/doom directory, which will probably have to be manually created first. Depending on how you installed or extracted it, it may be found in ~/.steam/root or under ~/.wine/drive_c.
  3. Look for Chocolate Setup in your desktop menu or app drawer, or run chocolate-setup from the Terminal. Configure the game to your preferences; see Setup on the Chocolate Doom wiki for complete documentation.
  4. Click Save parameters and launch DOOM to start playing; or use Warp to select specific games in case you have multiple.

Mac

  1. Download chocolate-doom-3.0.1.dmg, open it, and drag the package to Applications as displayed.
  2. Open Chocolate Doom as you would any program (e.g. from "Applications" on the Dock).
  3. Click Configure, then click the Set button for one of the games you downloaded above. If it's the shareware version, use the Doom button.
  4. Locate the corresponding WAD file on your hard drive, highlight it, and click Open. Repeat for any additional WAD files, then click Close.
  5. Choose a game from the upper drop-down list.
  6. Optionally, click Run Setup Tool... to configure the game, including setting a playable display mode.
  7. Click Launch to begin playing.

Doom 3

Windows

Once you have Doom 3 installed via Steam, in its original or BFG Edition release, you are already good to go. Simply launch the game via Steam or a shortcut and have fun.

Linux

If you have installed Doom 3 via Steam, which uses Wine for compatibility, you may attempt launching and playing that way. Since it is not, as of October 2018, a title explicitly marked as compatible, your mileage may vary. The following instructions may also be used for a Linux-native mode of play.

  1. Download doom3-linux-1.3.1.1304.x86.run and mark it executable, either through your GUI file manager or chmod +x doom3-linux-1.3.1.1304.x86.run on the command line.
  2. Run the file and install the engine. If you are on a 64-bit OS, note this is a 32-bit program, seek out your distribution help for getting 32-bit software to run properly.
  3. Copy the base/pak000.pk4, base/pak001.pk4, base/pak002.pk4, base/pak003.pk4, base/pak004.pk4 files from your Steam Doom 3 installation to the location you installed the Doom 3 engine in the previous step, retaining their location under base
  4. Copy the d3xp/pak000.pk4 file in the same manner, if you bought Resurrection of Evil as well, likewise retaining its location under d3xp
  5. Launch Doom 3 via your desktop menu, app drawer, or from the Terminal with the doom3 command.

Mac

Warning: The official game releases are 32-bit and will only run on macOS 10.14 or lower. Getting a 64-bit executable for Doom 3 or Doom 3: BFG Edition may require dhewm3 or RBDOOM-3-BFG.

  1. If you purchased the native OS X version, follow the vendor's instructions for installation and launch. Unless your system is fairly new, be prepared to reduce resolution and disable some graphical features to get a playable frame rate.

Doom (2016)

Windows

As with other Steam games, the game should be ready to run as soon as it is downloaded and installed.

Linux

Doom (2016) is provided via Steam as available for play on Linux, using a version of Wine to achieve compatibility since it is only provided as a Windows binary. You may download and run it like any other game on Steam.

Mac

No official support for running Doom (2016) on the Mac operating system exists, however it may be possible to install the Windows version of Steam via Wine and run it there.

Beyond the basics: Doom classic

This how to article has purposely oversimplified the process of running Doom. In its long history of modding and open source nature since 1997, there are multitudes of possibilities for obtaining Doom on physical media, old consoles, and other formats. There are also a near-endless supply of engine ports to other operating systems and devices, both historic and modern. We have focused on running the game with Chocolate Doom, an engine that expressly eschews enhancements and new features, presenting the game exactly the same as the original DOS version, only fixed to run on new systems.

Enhanced ports

With the open source nature of the Doom engine, most derivatives, commonly known as source ports or just ports, focus on removing limitations of the original game, adding features, making graphical enhancements, and improving support for modding. A few of the most popular enhanced ports are:

Mods

Mods, also commonly known as WADs or PWADs, are widely available, with the idgames archive providing the largest and most active resource for obtaining them. If you continue to use Chocolate Doom, since it lacks extra features, you will have to look out for entries that say they support doom.exe, doom2.exe, or vanilla Doom. Many mods will require the use of an enhanced port and will dutifully make note of that as well. Limit-removing or Boom mods can run in most available ports, otherwise you will have to use the specified port.

Multiplayer

Doom has an active multiplayer base to this day, often with the support of mods and with enhanced ports. While Chocolate Doom has multiplayer capabilities, it is both extremely limited in game modes (as was the original), and lacks a permanent online player base; playing multiplayer with Chocolate Doom will almost certainly require setting up a game with friends.

The most popular ports for playing online multiplayer, all of which with an active player base are (in alphabetical order):

For a more complete guide, please see How to play Doom online multiplayer.