![]() During development, Nightdive discovered that the Xbox One GPU was barely hitting 20 per cent utilisation. There is an interesting outlier here: Xbox One S. Naturally, ultra-wide and unlocked frame-rates are supported on PC. Meanwhile, the enhanced consoles deliver native 3840x2160 output. PS4 and the original Xbox One render at 1080p, as does the docked Switch version (mobile renders at screen-native 720p). Naturally, for the current-gen console ports, Nightdive bumps all systems up to 60 frames per second, running at native resolution. Doom 64's careful utilisation of the Nintendo 64 hardware saw frame-rates mostly lock to 30 frames per second - so users enjoyed the smoothest console performance of the period, paired with all of those impressive graphical upgrades. Nintendo's implementation of texture filtering uses three samples rather than the four typically used in the PC space - and Nightdive's solution was simple: emulate the Nintendo approach via shaders, an example of how committed the developer was in delivering as accurate a port as possible. Other details include the addition of fog in certain stages and the use of N64's native texture filtering, smoothing out surfaces in the process - a key feature at the time. Even in-game water rendering gets a substantial revamp over prior Doom titles, looking significantly smoother. Sprites, textures and the skybox are all more nuanced than the original game with more colors used in each them. Walls now feature smooth gradients where the top and bottom of a wall can utilise different shades leading to dramatic effects. Watch on YouTube DF Retro speaks with key Nightdive Studios staff, getting a better understanding of how the excellent Doom 64 port was delivered.Īn increased colour depth is immediately apparent when you sit down with Doom 64. All of the artwork was created from scratch for this version complete with new 3D rendered models that were used as the basis for the sprites, which were themselves of a higher resolution than the PC original's. Although core coding is based on Carmack's original Jaguar version of the original, Doom 64 is the first in the series to offer 3D hardware-accelerated visuals, enabling a range of techniques that elevate the game beyond the original software renderer. This process brought about near-perfect accuracy and for the first time, the in-game demos would run just as they should - a factor of Doom 64's object motion and collision detection being correctly modelled for the first time.īut what makes porting Doom 64 a worthwhile exercise? The original was created through a partnership between id Software and Midway - and yes, John Carmack himself was partially involved in the project. The new game sees Doom 64 itself more thoroughly reverse-engineered and then re-coded into Nightdive's own KEX engine (more accurately, a frame-work - it has no renderer) and supports higher resolutions and 60fps. ![]() Lead Engine Developer Sam Villarreal is also responsible Doom 64 EX and Doom 64 Absolution - two earlier attempts at bringing the classic original to PC but this official port goes further, seeking to replicate the game with extreme accuracy.ĭoom 64 EX was an attempt to implement N64's extra functionality and bespoke assets into a version of the game playable on modern PCs. Nightdive specialises in sympathetically restoring classic games for today's hardware and has delivered superb work in the form of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and its sequel, Forsaken, Blood and other. ![]() We can't think of any developer better suited to the task. However, for those without retro Nintendo hardware, it's a slice of Doom history inaccessible to many - a situation that changed for the better with the recent release of Doom 64 for all current-gen platforms, developed by Nightdive Studios. With its reworked art, atmospheric score, solid frame-rate and foreboding environments, it's an N64 game that still holds up beautifully today - 23 years after its initial release. Perhaps a little overlooked back in the day, Doom 64 stands as one of my favorite installments in the series.
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