The Reddit group “ItRunsDoom” is well-known for adapting the classic ’90s game Doom to some really surprising gadgets and platforms. Throughout the years, this game has been played on everything from calculators to ATMs and even on a digital pregnancy test. Recently, a Reddit user named vk6_ has pushed this creativity even further. On January 13, they revealed their latest project: a working version of Doom that you can find inside a PDF file.
Technical Details
This endeavor utilizes the open-source engine doomgeneric, with its C code transformed into WebAssembly by using the Emscripten compiler. This transformation enables the game to operate in modern web browsers (like those based on Chromium or Firefox) as well as directly in PDF viewers that support JavaScript. You can catch a glimpse of this groundbreaking version in the video below:
Performance and Features
However, the PDF edition of Doom doesn’t quite stack up against the performance of the IBM PCs that the game was originally designed for back in 1993. The graphics are monochrome, featuring six shades of gray, and it runs at around 12 FPS. Each line on the screen gets rendered as its own text field. The controls are pretty much the same as you’d expect: you can move using WASD, hit the space bar to shoot, and switch weapons with the number keys 1-7. There’s no need for a mouse to play. DoomPDF is available for free and can be enjoyed by anyone.
While the classic Doom is still the preferred version for sheer enjoyment, DoomPDF highlights how adaptable this retro game can be. The project has been received with enthusiasm on Reddit, as many users are calling it a creative triumph. Comments such as “This is very impressive” and “Best virus ever” show just how excited the community is. It’s clear that fans can expect more imaginative projects from the ItRunsDoom community in the future.
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