Doom 3 BFG Edition Cuts PC Multiplayer From Original Games

[Andy Chalk]

Doom 3 BFG Edition Cuts PC Multiplayer From Original Games

The Doom 3 BFG Edition FAQ reveals a few surprises about the upcoming re-issue of the classic shooter series.

There's just no possible way to fully appreciate the impact of Doom multiplayer if you weren't around to experience it. I played it as often as I could - which, being a small-town boy, wasn't nearly as often as I'd have liked - struggling to set up ancient networks for all-night Doomfests and connecting modem-to-modem with other fans for one-on-one deathmatch action. It was exciting, it was intense; we take it for granted today, but 20 years ago, frantically blasting the crap out of three other humans was nothing short of crazy voodoo magic.

Alas, you won't be doing it in the upcoming Doom 3 BFG Edition - at least, not if you own a PC. According to the recently-released FAQ, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game will support 2-4 players at a time, online and off, in both Doom and Doom 2, "but on PC there is no multiplayer options for Doom and Doom 2."

I suppose it's not really a big deal, since I don't see Knee Deep in the Dead deathmatches making a big comeback in the near future, but given the roots of the game, it's a bit odd, isn't it? Doom 3 co-op gameplay has been cut too, from all platforms, since it was only included with the Xbox version of the game and the BFG Edition is based on the PC release. PC gamers can take some solace in the fact that their versions of Doom 3 and Resurrection of Evil will support up to eight players while the console versions top out at four, and that it will support the Oculus Rift [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/118938-Oculus-Rift-Designer-Forsees-Indie-Devs-Driving-VR] VR headset, which consoles cannot.

One more bit of potential disappointment: The Doom 3 BFG Edition will include Doom, Doom 2, Doom 3, Resurrection of Evil and The Lost Mission, but not Final Doom or Master Levels for Doom 2. Which is a pity, since every serious fan knows that's where the real action is.

The Doom 3 BFG Edition [http://www.amazon.com/Doom-3-BFG-Edition-Pc/dp/B008E6ZXA4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346863888&sr=8-2&keywords=Doom+3+BFG+Edition] comes out at retail and via digital distribution on October 16.

Source: Bethesda [http://forums.bethsoft.com/topic/1408944-doom-3-bfg-edition-faq/]


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[NLS]

Well, you could still just buy the original games for cheapo on Steam, look out for any Bethesda/id catalogue sales during the next big Steam sale.
Also, there's tons of Doom engines out there supporting full 1080p, hardware rendering etc plus multiplayer, so it's just a matter of copying over your .wad files and running the old games in full glory. If you really want to play Doom multiplayer in this day and age, chances are you already own a copy of Doom that you can load up yourself and get into it.

 

[IanDavis]

To be fair, the originals only run on the ancient IPX protocol. If you want multiplayer, Skulltag is the only way to go.

 

[saito82]

Or if you want to play Doom and Doom 2 multiplayer with more maps and weapons and so much it is hard to list it all...just get Gzdoom or one of the others like it. My friend and I still play Doom and Doom 2 .wads all the time.

 

[fix-the-spade]

To me, that's ok.

The multiplayer components of Doom/2 can be had for free and legally. Or you can buy it off of Steam for a couple quid. I can see why they wouldn't bother distributing it again.

Then again, with it all existing already and being thoroughly proven, it begs a question as to why they wouldn't include it in the PC release? It amounts to a couple of MB of code they've already developed.

It's ok, but it is a little bit odd. Then again, Eight way Doom 3 in a full VR headset, fetch me my puke bucket, it's going to be a long night!

 

[fix-the-spade]

#PS, as good as Doom it was, NetMech is the one that doomed me to a lifetime of destruction in the tubes.

 

[Hungry Donner]

It's times like this I want to fall to my knees and Kirk-shout "DWANGO" to the heavens.

 

[Rad Party God]

For your classic Doom multiplayer fix, there's the Skulltag [http://www.skulltag.com/] source port (my favorite in fact).

My only question is, for those of us who spent quite a bit for the id Super Pack in Steam (meaning I already have every single Doom release), do we still get the updated BFG Edition?, or will they sell it as a separate product?.

 

[Formica Archonis]

Like everyone else said: Source ports are better in every way than the original executables. Frankly, I don't even see a need for this release unless someone is feeling particularly guilty about their pirated Doom 2 V1.6 floppies from back in the day.

 

[Oskuro]

No DooM 3 co-op? Darn, that was the only reason I was considering buying the games *again* (I own all DooM versions to date)

Guess it'll have to be OpenCoop for me.

 

[ScruffyMcBalls]

Anyone know if the PC version will need Steam? If so then I sure as fuck ain't buying it. But regardless I think I'll buy all the games separately, then maybe pick this up for PS3 just as part of the collection.

 

[NLS]

For your classic Doom multiplayer fix, there's the Skulltag [http://www.skulltag.com/] source port (my favorite in fact).

My only question is, for those of us who spent quite a bit for the id Super Pack in Steam (meaning I already have every single Doom release), do we still get the updated BFG Edition?, or will they sell it as a separate product?.

I'm guessing separate product. It's not like everyone who has an old copy of Doom 3 lying around gets this for free, and they're selling it to make a profit. You can bet your money that they'll release it as part of the id/Doom pack next time it's on sale, but that's just the way it is with Steam, you can't buy any games because there's always that feeling that they'll have an even better offer just around the corner. Same thing with Valve's Collection, you can buy it for quite a cheap prize, but you probably already own half of the games, and they'll always add more to it's value by the next year and game release, which you are not entitled to getting for free.

 

[NLS]

Anyone know if the PC version will need Steam? If so then I sure as fuck ain't buying it. But regardless I think I'll buy all the games separately, then maybe pick this up for PS3 just as part of the collection.

Considering Bethesda's latest games have been released with Steamworks integration, and that all of id's games have been released on Steam, I'd guess that's the case.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

No MP for DOOM 1 and 2? NO MP?!!!

Ah, who cares. It's not like anyone would play it anyway.

 

[redisforever]

NOO!!!! My beloved Final Doom!! I loved Evilution! Well, balls... At least I can play multiplayer for the first time in Doom, and I can play Doom 1.

Hopefully, they'll release it as DLC at some point, or something.

 

[ScruffyMcBalls]

Anyone know if the PC version will need Steam? If so then I sure as fuck ain't buying it. But regardless I think I'll buy all the games separately, then maybe pick this up for PS3 just as part of the collection.

Considering Bethesda's latest games have been released with Steamworks integration, and that all of id's games have been released on Steam, I'd guess that's the case.

That's pretty lame. Ah well, I'll stick with my plan of getting the originals.

 

[Vigormortis]

For your classic Doom multiplayer fix, there's the Skulltag [http://www.skulltag.com/] source port (my favorite in fact).

My only question is, for those of us who spent quite a bit for the id Super Pack in Steam (meaning I already have every single Doom release), do we still get the updated BFG Edition?, or will they sell it as a separate product?.

First, thank you for linking SkullTag. I'd completely forgotten about that project. Thanks for the reminder. Already in the process of downloading all the clients.

Second, knowing Bethesda and id, your Super Pack won't be updated with the BFG edition. They may turn altruistic, but I doubt it.

What I mean is, it's not beyond the realm of possibility, but don't get your hopes up.

 

[ThePS1Fan]

My only question is which enemies will move backwards on the PS3?

 

[Rad Party God]

My only question is which enemies will move backwards on the PS3?

id Software is responsible for the port/re-release/remake, not Bethesda directly.

Although it would be quite amusing to see a cacodemon flying backwards.

 

[Clive Howlitzer]

No MP for DOOM 1 and 2? NO MP?!!!

Ah, who cares. It's not like anyone would play it anyway.

I would! Doom is amazing. The only reason I don't play it multiplayer now is because even with the various source ports, I always run into issues with disconnects.
I still play single all the time though.