DOOM Press Release Beta

1993 · MS-DOS · id software

Read more about this prototype on DoomWiki.org This archive was modified to work in the Internet Archive's emulator. Find the original archive at this URL: https://www.gamers.org/pub/idgames/historic/doomprbt.zip Original description: In order to create a complete collection of historic DOOM versions, as released to testers at the time, id Software has allowed to place this file, the Oct 4, 1993 press-release beta version of DOOM, in the official idgames archive. This file is collected here because of the historic interest shown in it, and is not supported by id Software in ANY way. Please do NOT contact id Software about this file. If you ignore this request, you will be summarily BFG-ed :) -- Frans P. de Vries | fpv@ftp.cdrom.com | Doom/Quake archive backup maintainer Additional notes: This version requires setting the system clock back before Oct 31, 1993. More info and a utility to circumvent this used to be available on Lee Killough's Classic DOOM page. As that has been shut down, I have included it separately in the file fakedate.zip. -- Frans P. de Vries | fpv@ftp.cdrom.com | Doom/Quake archive backup maintainer Even more notes: ***** DOOM ***** October 4, 1993 I got this copy of the DOOM pre-Beta release from a friend. I have copied all the paperwork I received so you could read it. This is a Pre-Beta Release meant for Testing & Media Only. Two drawbacks: 1st - No sound, (but game will play) 2nd - program looks at the system DATE if your computer has a system date after 10/31/93 it will not run. (So da, change it to play) Hope the below information will help. Have Fun & Kick Some ASS! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- id Software Inc. Town East Tower 18601 LBJ Freeway Suite 615 Mesquite, TX 75150 Tel (214) 613-3589 Fax (214) 686-9288 October 5, 1993 Enclosed please find the demo version of DOOM that I have been promising since September 15, 1993. I hope you enjoy testing/playing it as much as we have enjoed producing it for you. Due to security concerns we have attached a password to the EXE and limit the time frame that this game can be played. The password for the game is -pressrelease and should be entered after the command line instruction noted in the enclosed instruction sheet (I.E. c:>easydoom -pressrelease). The time frame limits imposed on this game will prevent you from playing the game once your system date goes beyond Oct. 31, 1993. You will note that the game gives you the ability to take your own screenshots. We have also provided a set of screenshots from some of the levels not included in this demo. The screenshots are PCX format graphics located on Disk 2 in an archive named scnshots.zip. Please feel free to give me a call if you have questions or comments about the game. Regards, Jay Wilbur CEO --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DOOM Copyright 1993 id Software Getting Started Insert Disk #1 and type INSTALL. You will be asked which drive to install to. Type the drive letter. Then, you'll be provided with a default directory to install into. Press ENTER if this is satisfactory. If the directory doesn't exit, the INSTALL program can create it for you by answering "Y" at the alert panel. After Disk #1 is installed, insert Disk #2 and press ENTER. When Disk #2 is finished, insert Disk #1 again and press ENTER--decompression will commence. When the prompt appears again, type DOOM and password. Note: DOOM takes approximately 20-30 seconds to load. Your Objective Get out alive. Your quest will be aided with the cool, powerful weapons and ammo you find lying around on the levels. Just run over it and you'll pick it up. There's armor, bonus items, powerups, etc in the game as well. Have a blast This early version of DOOM does not include music or sound effects. Hardware Requirements DOOM requires 2 megabytes of memory, 6.5 megs of hard drive space, a 486dx or better machine and VGA The final version of the game will work with a 386sx or better. This prerelease version have some floating point traps that will serverly limit performance on a 486sx or lesser processor. If you have more than 2 megs of memory, DOOM will use it. If you notice any slight hitches in gameplay, rest assured that DOOM is merely caching in new set of graphics. If you have a lot of memory, eventually DOOM won't have to cache anything after running through a level because everything will have been cached on-the-fly! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Controls Keyboard Controls ----------------- Up Arrow ----> Move Forward Down Arrow --> Move Backward Left Arrow --> Rotate Left Right Arrow -> Rotate Right Right Shift -> More Speed while moving/rotating Spacebar ----> USE: open doors, flips switches CONTROL -----> Fire Weapons 1-7 ---------> Change weapon (if you have it) TAB ---------> Toggle automap ESC ---------> Enter Chat Mode (for multiplayer mode) Remove item pi