The fate of virtual reality lies with content. In order to get consumers purchasing the necessary hardware to enjoy VR, developers need to offer must-have games and experiences that require it. That doesn’t necessarily mean creating brand new experiences, however, as a Doom 3 mod has made clear.
Doom 3 was originally released in 2004, but an updated version entitled Doom 3: BFG Edition launched in 2012 including enhanced graphics and sound, as well as support for 3D displays. Four years later and a developer by the name of Codes4Fun has ported the game for use with the HTC Vive, meaning it can be played in VR.
Although an older title, Doom 3 is still held in very high regard and this mod shows off the true potential of VR gaming. It boasts a solid 90 frames per second, allows for accurate gun and flashlight hand-tracking control, and causes no motion sickness (although your mileage may vary depending on your sensitivity to such activities). If you look past a few minor collision issues and difficult to read text, the only missing feature is the ability to walk and run around the environments. Hopefully that becomes an option with the introduction of an omnidirectional treadmill.
The good news is, if you own a HTC Vive then this mod is already available to use. Reddit user AerowynX has posted a simple guide on how to get it working.
