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[[Image:Unmaker_Doom64_1.jpg|thumb|right|The Doom 64 Unmaker, on [[MAP28: The Absolution]]]]
 
[[Image:Unmaker_Doom64_1.jpg|thumb|right|The Doom 64 Unmaker, on [[MAP28: The Absolution]]]]
 
[[Image:Unmaker_Doom64_2.jpg|thumb|right|The Doom 64 Unmaker being used against an [[Arachnotron]], on [[MAP23: Unholy Temple (Doom 64)|MAP23: Unholy Temple]]]]
 
[[Image:Unmaker_Doom64_2.jpg|thumb|right|The Doom 64 Unmaker being used against an [[Arachnotron]], on [[MAP23: Unholy Temple (Doom 64)|MAP23: Unholy Temple]]]]
The '''Unmaker''' is a weapon in [[Doom 64]] of [[Hell|demonic]] origin, inscribed with a pentagram and made up of parts of the spine and rib bones of a demon. It fires powerful red lasers by consuming [[cell]]s as ammo.
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The '''Unmaker''' is a weapon in [[Doom 64]] of [[Hell|demonic]] origin, inscribed with a pentagram and made up of parts of the spine and rib bones of a demon. It fires powerful red lasers by consuming [[Energy cell (Doom)|cell]]s as ammo. The original name of the weapon is unknown and unverifiable; the community-given name "Unmaker" has long been applied to the weapon due to analogy with a similar concept in the [[Doom Bible]]. This name was made official by the [[Doom 64 (2020 version)|2020 re-release]] of the game, in an [[achievement]].
  
The Unmaker has its origins in the [[Doom Bible]], and was originally intended to be in [[Doom]] itself. According to the Doom Bible, the Unmaker was intended to be a "demon-tech weapon that hurts pure demons a lot, demon-humans very little, tech demons some. Made of demon bones. (...) The [[Dark Claw]] and Unmaker feed on human souls. Killing possessed humans or hellslaves allows the weapons to feed".<ref>http://5years.doomworld.com/doombible/section14.shtml</ref> This idea was later used in [[Doom 3]]'s [[Soul Cube]].
+
The Doom Bible concept for the Unmaker was originally intended to be in the pre-planned commercial sequel to [[Doom]] itself. According to the Doom Bible, the Unmaker was intended to be a "demon-tech weapon that hurts pure demons a lot, demon-humans very little, tech demons some. Made of demon bones. (...) The [[Dark Claw]] and Unmaker feed on human souls. Killing possessed humans or hellslaves allows the weapons to feed".{{cite web|author=[[Tom Hall|Hall, Tom]]|title=Doom Bible - Chapter 14. Stuff: Weapons, Items, Etc|url=https://5years.doomworld.com/doombible/section14.shtml|publication=[[Doomworld]]|publishdate=|accessdate=9 September 2018}}
 +
 
 +
The idea of a weapon being charged by kills was later used in [[Doom 3]]'s [[Soul Cube]], and the concept of a Hell-wrought weapon fed by human souls also occurs in the form of [[the Artifact]].
 +
 
 +
The concept and mechanics of the Unmaker are strongly referenced by a weapon in [[Doom Eternal]] known as the [[Unmaykr]]. The nature of the relationship of the two weapons is unclear; the Unmaykr fires three bolts in a similar manner to the fully powered Unmaker, and uses firing sounds from the Doom 64 weapon when the classic weapon sounds option is enabled.
  
 
== Doom 64 version ==
 
== Doom 64 version ==
The Unmaker is the only new weapon in Doom 64. It begins as the second strongest weapon behind the [[BFG9000]], with slightly better damage but a slower firing rate than the [[plasma gun]]. It is especially rare and can only be found in a few levels, the first one being [[MAP29: Outpost Omega (Doom 64)|MAP29: Outpost Omega]] (a secret level). The first regular level where it can be found is [[MAP12: Altar Of Pain (Doom 64)|MAP12: Altar of Pain]]. However, uniquely amongst Doom weaponry, the Unmaker can be upgraded by finding the three mysterious and well-protected [[Demon Key]] artifacts:
+
The Unmaker is the only new weapon in Doom 64. It begins as the second strongest weapon behind the [[BFG9000]], with slightly better damage but a slower firing rate than the [[plasma gun]]. It is especially rare and can only be found in a few levels, the first one being [[MAP29: Outpost Omega (Doom 64)|MAP29: Outpost Omega]] (a secret level). The first regular level where it can be found is [[MAP12: Altar Of Pain (Doom 64)|MAP12: Altar of Pain]]. In [[The Lost Levels]] expansion, the Unmaker can only be found on [[MAP39: Final Judgement (Doom 64)|MAP39: Final Judgement]].
*The first one increases the laser speed.
+
 
*The second key adds a second laser
+
Uniquely amongst Doom weaponry, the Unmaker can be upgraded by finding the three mysterious and well-protected [[Demon Key]] artifacts:
*The third one makes the weapon fire three simultaneous lasers.
+
* The first one increases the laser speed.
 +
* The second key adds a second laser
 +
* The third one makes the weapon fire three simultaneous lasers.
 +
 
 +
Each laser of the Unmaker can do between 10 to 80 damage (10x+10 where x is a random value of 0 to 7). The damage of an individual laser is not directly affected by artifact count.
 +
Each laser fired uses 1 cell of ammo. Having more lasers fire by having 2 or 3 artifacts thus increases ammo usage of each additional laser fired. (3 artifacts means 3 lasers means 3 cells used total per shot).
 +
 
 +
The fully equipped Unmaker critically increases the chance of [[pain-stun]], dispatching the [[Cyberdemon]] and even the mighty [[Mother Demon]] or Sister Resurrector with impunity. While the BFG can dole out higher damage and strike more targets at a single time, the Unmaker arguably surpasses it in utility in the late game when it is at its full strength, strong enemies come in singles or small groups, and cell ammo is at a premium.
 +
 
 +
===Name===
 +
The weapon is never officially named within the original game itself, and is kept a secret by the instruction manual. The Unmaker weapon sprite is named {{c|LASR}} and the pick-up sprite is named {{c|LSGR}}. It is likewise referred to by several unofficial or tentative names in pre-release previews, walkthroughs, reviews, ads, and the game's [[Doom 64: Official Game Secrets|official strategy guide]]. These include the following:
 +
 
 +
* "alien gun"<ref name="D64OSG">Osborne, Ian, Nick Roberts, and Jem Roberts. ''[[Doom 64: Official Game Secrets]]''. Prima Publishing, 1997.</ref>
 +
* "alien laser" (a name also referenced by level designer [[Tim Heydelaar]])<ref name="D64OSG"/>{{cite web|author=[[Tim Heydelaar|Heydelaar, Tim]]|title=Early and unused DOOM 64 Level Designs|url=https://www.doomworld.com/forum/post/1957377|publication=[[Doomworld Forums]]|publishdate=24 January 2019|accessdate=10 April 2019}}{{cite mag|magazine=64 Extreme|issue=8|altdate=1998, December/January|title=Ex-Rated - Doom 64|author=Ian|pages=56}}
 +
* "alien weapon"<ref name="N64-7">{{cite mag text|author=James|magazine=N64|issue=7|date=October 1997|title=N64 Arena - Doom 64|pages=38}}</ref><ref name="X64">{{cite mag text|magazine=X64|issue=HS3|altdate=Christmas 1998|title=Doom 64}}</ref>
 +
* "crazy laser"<ref name="N64-7" />
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* "demon laser"{{cite mag|author=Fulljames, Stephen and David McComb|magazine=Nintendo Magazine|issue=60|date=March 1998|title=Playguide - Doom 64|pages=54}}{{cite mag|author=Fulljames, Stephen and David McComb|magazine=Nintendo Magazine|issue=61|date=April 1998|title=Playguide - Doom 64|pages=63}}
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* "gros laser qui tue" (English: "big fucking laser", literally "big laser that kills")<ref name="X64" />
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* "high powered laser"{{cite mag|author=O'Leary, Steve|magazine=Hyper|issue=47|date=September 1997|title=Review - Doom 64|pages=53}}
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* "laser"<ref>Nintendo.com’s Official Doom 64 Game Page Description</ref> <ref name="Wessel">[[Craig Wessel (Talon)|Wessel, Craig]]. ''Authorized Guide to Doom 64''. Brady Publishing, 1997.</ref><ref name="NOM60">{{cite mag text|magazine=Nintendo Official Magazine|issue=60|date=September 1997|title=Review - Doom 64|pages=40}}</ref>{{cite mag|magazine=PlayMag|issue=14|date=May 1997|title=Playtest - Doom 64|pages=120}}
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* "laser action machine gun"{{cite mag|author=McCleary, John|title=R64 Review - Doom 64|magazine=64 Magazine|issue=1|altdate=1997, March/April|pages=73}}
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* "laser beam"{{cite mag|author=Major Mike|magazine=GamePro|issue=103|date=April 1997|title=Nintendo 64 ProReviews - Doom 64|pages=74}}
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* "laser cannon"<ref name="CVG185">{{cite mag text|title=First Look at Hot Software! - Doom 64|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=185|date=April 1997|pages=95}}</ref>
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* "laser gun"<ref name="N64-7" /><ref name="X64" /><ref name="Wessel" /><ref name="CVG185" />{{cite mag|magazine=Joypad|issue=64|date=May 1997|title=USA Zoom - Doom 64}}
 +
* "laser rifle"<ref name="Wessel" /><ref name="NOM60" />{{cite mag|author=Pete|magazine=64 Extreme|title=Review - Doom 64|issue=3|date=June 1997|pages=13}}
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* "laser weapon"{{cite mag|author=Lomas, Ed|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=187|date=June 1997|title=Mini Reviews - Doom 64|pages=78}}{{cite mag|magazine=Nintendo Power|issue=96|date=May 1997|title=Doom 64|pages=44}}
 +
* "superlaser"{{cite mag|author=McDermott, Andy|magazine=64 Magazine|issue=5|date=October 1997|title=U64 UK Update - Doom 64|pages=57}}
 +
 
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When the weapon is collected, the [[marine]] simply exclaims, "What the !@#%* is this!"
 +
 
 +
The 2020 re-release officially uses the name Unmaker for the weapon in [[achievement]] descriptions and promotional materials.
 +
 
 +
==Trivia==
 +
[[File:Prerelease_unmaker.png|thumb|right|240px|Pre-release screenshot thought to be of the "laser rifle" concept which became the Unmaker.]]
 +
* The [[Reaper (weapon)|reaper]] in [[Doom (2016)]] has a charged attack which fires a similar laser-like beam of Hell energy.
 +
* One pre-release screenshot shows what is presumably an early version of the Unmaker. The publication itself mentions there could be "possibly new weapons and monsters" in Doom 64.<ref>Gamepro. Issue 86. September 1996.</ref> Though Tim Heydelaar believes this picture is of an early [[rocket launcher]] model, earlier screenshots which display the rocket launcher sprite as it appears in the final game would seem to contradict that notion.{{cite web|author=[[Tim Heydelaar|Heydelaar, Tim]]|title=Early and unused DOOM 64 Level Designs|url=https://www.doomworld.com/forum/post/1955898|publication=[[Doomworld Forums]]|publishdate=18 January 2019|accessdate=10 April 2019}}
  
The fully equipped Unmaker critically increases the chance of [[pain-stun]], dispatching the [[Cyberdemon]] and even the mighty [[Mother Demon]] with impunity. While the BFG can dole out higher damage and strike more targets at a single time, the Unmaker arguably surpasses it in utility in the late game when it is at its full strength, strong enemies come in singles or small groups, and cell ammo is at a premium.
+
==Alpha version==
 +
As a weapon in the Doom [[alpha]]s, the Unmaker appears only in [[Doom v0.2]], and there only in the form of two unused lumps for the game's helmet visor [[HUD]]: {{c|WBOXUNM}} contains the name of the weapon, and {{c|WPICUNM}} contains a silhouette. After this, there are no further references to the weapon concept. It was meant by [[Tom Hall]] to occur as a new weapon in the commercial sequel to Doom and not in the first game itself, which is likely why its concept was quickly dropped.
  
When the weapon is collected, the player says, "What the !@#%* is this!" The weapon is never officially named within the game itself, and is kept a secret by the instruction manual.
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==External links==
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* [https://github.com/fragglet/RomeroDoomDump/blob/master/doom-textures-png/statpix/pix1_lbm.png Original source graphics for the Doom v0.2 HUD], as [[2015 Doom source data release|released]] by [[John Romero]] in {{timeline|2015}}. The Unmaker icon begins in column 30 at row 14, and resembles a skull and spine with various bony projections extending from it which form vague grips and a stock.
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
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[[Category:Demonic weapons]]
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[[Category:Doom pre-release weapons]]
 
[[Category:Doom 64 weapons]]
 
[[Category:Doom 64 weapons]]

Revision as of 12:10, 22 August 2020

The Doom 64 Unmaker, on MAP28: The Absolution
The Doom 64 Unmaker being used against an Arachnotron, on MAP23: Unholy Temple

The Unmaker is a weapon in Doom 64 of demonic origin, inscribed with a pentagram and made up of parts of the spine and rib bones of a demon. It fires powerful red lasers by consuming cells as ammo. The original name of the weapon is unknown and unverifiable; the community-given name "Unmaker" has long been applied to the weapon due to analogy with a similar concept in the Doom Bible. This name was made official by the 2020 re-release of the game, in an achievement.

The Doom Bible concept for the Unmaker was originally intended to be in the pre-planned commercial sequel to Doom itself. According to the Doom Bible, the Unmaker was intended to be a "demon-tech weapon that hurts pure demons a lot, demon-humans very little, tech demons some. Made of demon bones. (...) The Dark Claw and Unmaker feed on human souls. Killing possessed humans or hellslaves allows the weapons to feed".[1]

The idea of a weapon being charged by kills was later used in Doom 3's Soul Cube, and the concept of a Hell-wrought weapon fed by human souls also occurs in the form of the Artifact.

The concept and mechanics of the Unmaker are strongly referenced by a weapon in Doom Eternal known as the Unmaykr. The nature of the relationship of the two weapons is unclear; the Unmaykr fires three bolts in a similar manner to the fully powered Unmaker, and uses firing sounds from the Doom 64 weapon when the classic weapon sounds option is enabled.

Doom 64 version

The Unmaker is the only new weapon in Doom 64. It begins as the second strongest weapon behind the BFG9000, with slightly better damage but a slower firing rate than the plasma gun. It is especially rare and can only be found in a few levels, the first one being MAP29: Outpost Omega (a secret level). The first regular level where it can be found is MAP12: Altar of Pain. In The Lost Levels expansion, the Unmaker can only be found on MAP39: Final Judgement.

Uniquely amongst Doom weaponry, the Unmaker can be upgraded by finding the three mysterious and well-protected Demon Key artifacts:

  • The first one increases the laser speed.
  • The second key adds a second laser
  • The third one makes the weapon fire three simultaneous lasers.

Each laser of the Unmaker can do between 10 to 80 damage (10x+10 where x is a random value of 0 to 7). The damage of an individual laser is not directly affected by artifact count. Each laser fired uses 1 cell of ammo. Having more lasers fire by having 2 or 3 artifacts thus increases ammo usage of each additional laser fired. (3 artifacts means 3 lasers means 3 cells used total per shot).

The fully equipped Unmaker critically increases the chance of pain-stun, dispatching the Cyberdemon and even the mighty Mother Demon or Sister Resurrector with impunity. While the BFG can dole out higher damage and strike more targets at a single time, the Unmaker arguably surpasses it in utility in the late game when it is at its full strength, strong enemies come in singles or small groups, and cell ammo is at a premium.

Name

The weapon is never officially named within the original game itself, and is kept a secret by the instruction manual. The Unmaker weapon sprite is named LASR and the pick-up sprite is named LSGR. It is likewise referred to by several unofficial or tentative names in pre-release previews, walkthroughs, reviews, ads, and the game's official strategy guide. These include the following:

When the weapon is collected, the marine simply exclaims, "What the !@#%* is this!"

The 2020 re-release officially uses the name Unmaker for the weapon in achievement descriptions and promotional materials.

Trivia

Pre-release screenshot thought to be of the "laser rifle" concept which became the Unmaker.
  • The reaper in Doom (2016) has a charged attack which fires a similar laser-like beam of Hell energy.
  • One pre-release screenshot shows what is presumably an early version of the Unmaker. The publication itself mentions there could be "possibly new weapons and monsters" in Doom 64.[22] Though Tim Heydelaar believes this picture is of an early rocket launcher model, earlier screenshots which display the rocket launcher sprite as it appears in the final game would seem to contradict that notion.[23]

Alpha version

As a weapon in the Doom alphas, the Unmaker appears only in Doom v0.2, and there only in the form of two unused lumps for the game's helmet visor HUD: WBOXUNM contains the name of the weapon, and WPICUNM contains a silhouette. After this, there are no further references to the weapon concept. It was meant by Tom Hall to occur as a new weapon in the commercial sequel to Doom and not in the first game itself, which is likely why its concept was quickly dropped.

External links

References

  1. Hall, Tom. "Doom Bible - Chapter 14. Stuff: Weapons, Items, Etc." Doomworld. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Osborne, Ian, Nick Roberts, and Jem Roberts. Doom 64: Official Game Secrets. Prima Publishing, 1997.
  3. Heydelaar, Tim (24 January 2019). "Early and unused DOOM 64 Level Designs." Doomworld Forums. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  4. Ian. (1998, December/January). Ex-Rated - Doom 64. 64 Extreme, 8, 56.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 James. (1997, October). N64 Arena - Doom 64. N64, 7, 38.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Doom 64. (Christmas 1998). X64, HS3.
  7. Fulljames, Stephen and David McComb. (1998, March). Playguide - Doom 64. Nintendo Magazine, 60, 54.
  8. Fulljames, Stephen and David McComb. (1998, April). Playguide - Doom 64. Nintendo Magazine, 61, 63.
  9. O'Leary, Steve. (1997, September). Review - Doom 64. Hyper, 47, 53.
  10. Nintendo.com’s Official Doom 64 Game Page Description
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Wessel, Craig. Authorized Guide to Doom 64. Brady Publishing, 1997.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Review - Doom 64. (1997, September). Nintendo Official Magazine, 60, 40.
  13. Playtest - Doom 64. (1997, May). PlayMag, 14, 120.
  14. McCleary, John. (1997, March/April). R64 Review - Doom 64. 64 Magazine, 1, 73.
  15. Major Mike. (1997, April). Nintendo 64 ProReviews - Doom 64. GamePro, 103, 74.
  16. 16.0 16.1 First Look at Hot Software! - Doom 64. (1997, April). Computer and Video Games, 185, 95.
  17. USA Zoom - Doom 64. (1997, May). Joypad, 64.
  18. Pete. (1997, June). Review - Doom 64. 64 Extreme, 3, 13.
  19. Lomas, Ed. (1997, June). Mini Reviews - Doom 64. Computer and Video Games, 187, 78.
  20. Doom 64. (1997, May). Nintendo Power, 96, 44.
  21. McDermott, Andy. (1997, October). U64 UK Update - Doom 64. 64 Magazine, 5, 57.
  22. Gamepro. Issue 86. September 1996.
  23. Heydelaar, Tim (18 January 2019). "Early and unused DOOM 64 Level Designs." Doomworld Forums. Retrieved 10 April 2019.