- Primary Subject: DOOM (1993)
- Key Update: Decades after its release, id Software's absolute classic stands as a testament to the power of pure mechanical mastery, having birthed the multiplayer deathmatch, weapon loadouts, and spatial level design we still rely on today.
- Status: Confirmed (Hands-on retrospective analysis)
- Last Verified: July 14, 2026
- Quick Answer: From coining the term "Deathmatch" to perfecting the game feel of the combat shotgun, DOOM fundamentally shifted first-person shooters from boring mazes into high-speed thrillers.
DOOM may not have been the first FPS game to exist, but it sure as hell popularized it. In fact, you could probably say DOOM is the godfather of FPS.
Before DOOM's release, first-person shooters weren't common. When one came out, it was often seen as experimental. That all changed when DOOM came out. It was so influential that for years after, FPS games were simply called "DOOM clones."
Obviously, that isn't the case now. But there's one thing that can't be denied - DOOM walked so the genre could run.
How DOOM Revolutionized the FPS Genre
If you play FPS games, you might have heard the term "Deathmatch." Well, guess what - we have DOOM to thank for that.
John Romero, the designer of DOOM, coined the term. He introduced the concept of loading into a map with the sole purpose of hunting down other friends. The concept was so popular for LAN parties - in fact, it crashed university and corporate networks worldwide. DOOM proved there was a massive demand for this type of game.
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One thing DOOM also perfected is the loadout. They didn't just give players guns - they were able to perfect the feel. One of the coveted weapons was the Combat Shotgun, which is considered one of the best video game shotguns. From the sharp audio crack to the recoil of the pump, it was just perfection.
DOOM also taught players how to manage their loadout. In this game, you have to switch from gun to gun instead of sticking to one firearm. The tactical weapon-swapping meta is now a core part of FPS games.
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DOOM is also the first FPS game where players weren't just running around in flat, repetitive areas. Instead, the shooter allowed players to traverse dark, atmospheric maps. This placed an emphasis on speed and twitch-reflex flicks. This is something we still feel when playing games like Valorant.
These things may seem small when compared to how shooter games are now, but when DOOM came out in 1993, it totally revolutionized how shooting games can be. They no longer had to be boring mazes where you had one gun for the whole game. They could be dynamic, interactive, and thrilling - and that's what they are now.
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