A twisted version of the classic video game Doom has surfaced, where players are required to pay a fee every time they pick up an in-game item to continue playing. This bizarre modification was created by a modder named Guy Dupont and showcased at the “Boston Stupid Shit No One Needs & Terrible Ideas Hackathon.” The original Doom, released in 1993, is renowned for its gameplay, but this version introduces frustrating microtransactions that disrupt the flow of the game.
Dupont incorporated a unique mechanic where a QR code appears whenever a player picks up an item in the game, pausing the gameplay until the player scans the code with their phone and pays a small fee. This disruptive element serves as a commentary on the prevalence of microtransactions in modern gaming and the potential for classic games to be tainted by monetization schemes. The modder’s creative approach highlights the flexibility of Doom in being ported to various platforms while also underscoring the risk of corrupting the core essence of beloved gaming experiences.
By manipulating the source port of the game and integrating a Python server, Dupont was able to implement this unusual payment system within Doom. As the video game industry continues to grapple with issues of monetization and player engagement, this peculiar modification serves as a satirical reflection on the potential future of gaming if microtransactions were to infiltrate classic titles like Doom. Ultimately, this project pushes boundaries and raises questions about the impact of monetization on the player experience in gaming.
