A high school student has expanded the reach of the iconic first-person shooter Doom by successfully porting it to the PDF file format. Named DoomPDF, this innovative adaptation showcases the potential of PDF’s JavaScript capabilities and highlights the student’s programming skills. This achievement not only demonstrates the flexibility of digital formats but also paves the way for future creative endeavors in gaming and software development.
Doom has long been a favorite for creative porting projects, ranging from Lego bricks and pregnancy tests to player-pianos and even gut bacteria cells. These unique adaptations illustrate the game’s lasting legacy and the enthusiasm of its fanbase to explore unconventional platforms. The latest PDF version continues this trend, pushing the boundaries of what is possible within standard document formats.
How Did the Student Achieve the PDF Port?
The student, known by the GitHub handle ading2210, utilized the JavaScript support embedded in the PDF format to recreate Doom’s gaming environment. By compiling the game into the PDF’s scripting capabilities, they managed to embed interactive elements such as keyboard inputs. According to ading2210, the approach was facilitated by the fact that “Chromium’s PDF engine supports text fields and buttons,” allowing for the integration of game controls within the document.
What Challenges Were Faced During Development?
Creating a functional game within the constraints of a PDF presented significant hurdles. The limited implementation of the PDF API in browsers like Chromium restricted the available functionalities. Ading2210 explained,
Previous interactive PDF projects I’ve seen use individual text fields that are toggled on/off to make individual pixels. However, Doom’s resolution is 320×200 which would mean thousands of text fields would have to be toggled every frame, which is infeasible. Instead, this port uses a separate text field for each row in the screen, then it sets their contents to various ASCII characters. I managed to get a 6 color monochrome output this way, which is enough for things to be legible in-game.
This method allowed for a manageable display while maintaining the game’s readability.
How Does DoomPDF Compare to Previous Ports?
While DoomPDF represents a novel platform adaptation, it faces usability issues not as prevalent in other ports. The student admitted that although the game runs within a PDF, “DoomPDF isn’t much fun to play,” citing unresponsive controls that make targeting difficult. In contrast, the earlier port to Notepad by game developer Sam Chiet offered a slightly smoother experience, albeit with its own visual limitations. These varying degrees of playability reflect the challenges of adapting high-performance games to unconventional environments.
The creation of DoomPDF highlights both the inventive spirit of software enthusiasts and the inherent limitations of repurposing established games for new formats. While the port may not offer the seamless gameplay of traditional platforms, it serves as an intriguing proof of concept that demonstrates the adaptability of game software. For developers and hobbyists alike, projects like DoomPDF open avenues for experimentation and push the boundaries of expected technological applications. As PDF capabilities continue to evolve, future adaptations may overcome current challenges, potentially leading to more interactive and responsive gaming experiences within document formats.
