id Software has clarified that the new title in its ling-running shooter series is called simply Doom, not Doom 4, and is a reboot rather than a continuation.
Do we really need to call it a reboot, guys? Does anyone really care about the story in a Doom game? Okay, fine.
Executive producer Marty Stratton made the clarification in an interview with Polygon at the ongoing QuakeCon 2014 event in Dallas, Texas. ”As you’ve probably noticed from the teaser, the game is called Doom, not Doom 4, and not something like Enemy Territory: Doom Wars,” he said.
Personally I find this habit of rebooting everything under the sun a little tiresome, but whatever. I’m sure they’ll really go to town on the story elements this time. Much more concerning is the news that it’s powered by the id Tech 6 engine, the successor to the nice to look at but horribly flawed Tech 5 engine used for 2011’s Rage. Some of the textures for that game are still loading in on my PC some three years later.
In other news there’s multiplayer, you can double-jump, there’s no-regenerating health (yay!) and most of the classic franchise weapons like the double-barrel shotgun, BFG and (obviously) rocket launcher will return.
Presenter Geoff Keighley, present at the show-exclusive reveal, tweeted that ”Melee combat is a big part of the new Doom.” There is a chainsaw in it after all.
I’m sure more tidbits about the game will continue to leak out as QuakeCon continues. We’ll keep you updated with the big news.
