---

---

This article contains the various timelines created by various developers of Doom games. Including iD software, Midway, and Bethesda software and others. Each are part of the canon or canons of Doom.

This article lists several classic and later retconned timelines (established by various ports of classic Doom, Doom 64, Doom RPG, Doom II RPG, and Doom 3 BFG editions), as well as other side timelines related to other releases and the current Slayer series (Doom 2016/VR/Doom Eternal/The Dark Ages).

Background

Doom has had essentially two or three main time line eras (with several possible 'parallel universes') either the original series in the 21st century, or retconned to be in the 22nd century.

SNES Doom, classic Doom novels, and at least the first doom film set stories back in the 21st century. While Doom 3, Doom (2016), Doom Eternal, Doom RPGs, and Doom Resurrection are set in the 22nd century (but under different narratives). The classic doom novels may have been set in the early 21st century by the end they are set in the 25th or 26th century.

Tom Hall has also stated originally that Doomguy was the grandson of Commander Keen, and that heroism 'skips a generation' (Doomguy's father was not a hero). However, he has also noted that Doomguy might not necesarily be grandson of Commander Keen, but some future decendent 'way later' down the timeline (to avoid any specific dating of when Doom took place), and possibly incorportating the 22nd century placements of Doom RPG/Doom 3.

Originally, I had (if I recall correctly):

1940s B.J. > 1960s Arthur (newscaster) > 1980s Billy > . > . > . way later .... > DOOM guy (although this was very patriarchal for these three.) I had it that being a hero skips every other generation.^[1]

...but for the old games: Wolf3D, Spear, Keen1-3, Keen Dreams, Keen 4-6...(many generations)... DOOM 1&2.

Additionally there are different backstories for the game character/characters throughout the Doom releases... Such as Marine (Doom II) being a separate character than Doomguy from Doom I. While other releases (or the novels) combined and conflated their histories into one (such as Corporal (D2: TOSG)).

Notably there are two or three separate backstories for Doom 64. Originally it was a direct sequel to Doom 1 (specifically the NES release) in a universe where Earth hadn't been invaded yet (Doom II), instead the hero returned to earth... Doom episodes in SNES game were covered up. He retired... Only for him to be called back when demons returned to the abandoned Phobos. So it was essentially an alternate sequel to Doom 1 following a separate narrative. The reboot ignores this story, instead making Doom 64 (2020 remaster) a direct sequel to Doom II (set as his return to Mars).

Doom 3's position has varied over the years both as separate timeline (outside of Doom I and Doom II), and later retconned into the timeline (to varying degrees).

According to Tim Willets when it was originally conceived:

...the story takes place as if the first two never happened. It was not meant to be Doom 3 after Doom II: Hell on Earth....It was Doom 3 as if Doom I and Doom II never happened."^[2]

Where as, Doom RPG placed it 'after' Doom II, and before Doom RPG.

Doom RPG is a first-person turn-based role playing game set in the Doom universe. Developed specifically for your mobile device, you reprise the role of the Doom Marine made famous in the groundbreaking id Software titles Doom, Doom II, and Doom 3. Say goodbye to humdrum mobile gaming and prepare yourself for the return to Mars in a showdown with the legions of Hell!

With current games, Hugo Martin has claimed that Doom 3 is canon, through Doom 64 somehow....^[3] But didn't clarify what he meant exactly.

As noted by IGN (in relation to the modern reboot timelines):

"There's no definitive answer as to where Doom 3 exists on this timeline. Arguments have been made that it takes place before Doom (1993), after Doom 64, or in an alternate timeline altogether...It's placement is ultimately inessential to understanding the ongoing narrative."^[4]

While Enhanced timeline may place it parallel to Doom I but in the same timeline/universe. While essentially remaining a re-imagining of the original Doom. Though some later games retconned it to being connected....it more or less still remains a re-imagining of the original DOOM. Such as the Doom Classic Bundle on steam, but it is still treated as its own story (in the series).

At least one theory goes;

The timeline of the DOOM series can be a bit convoluted, but basically everything up until DOOM 2016 featured Doomguy as the protagonist. DOOM 3, 1, and 2, in that order, chronicle his battle with the forces of hell. After those, DOOM 64 sees the Earth quarantine all of the UAC research installations, but a plot by the demons lures Doomguy back into hell once again. Serving as a cap on the story, at the time, DOOM 64 had Doomguy kill the Mother Demon and remain in hell to destroy demons until his last day.^[5]

Then followed by Doom 2016, and Doom Eternal. With Doom: The Dark Ages taking place between Doom 64 (2020 remaster) and Doom (2016)...

This is supported in Quake Champions, in which details for the Doom Marine uniform for the Doom Slayer character, implies that Doom 3 is the first in the series, and Doom Marine's very first outing (and encounter with the Demon hordes).

Recently transferred to Mars, this soldier got more than he asked for when Dr. Betruger betrayed the UAC.

While the Arena uniform appears to suggest it takes place before Classic Doom story... It mentions the armor being an 'early armor', and classic Doom armor being a 'more sophisticated version of the base helment'.

Still others see Doom 3 as a 'sequel' to Doom 1 or 2... As stated in the Doom RPG marketing...

Doom RPG is a first-person turn-based role playing game set in the Doom universe. Developed specifically for your mobile device, you reprise the role of the Doom Marine made famous in the groundbreaking id Software titles Doom, Doom II, and Doom 3. Say goodbye to humdrum mobile gaming and prepare yourself for the return to Mars in a showdown with the legions of Hell!

With some fans believing it takes place possibly a century after the classic games (based on the Nintendo timeline (Doom 64 N64 timeline)), while others interpret to be a separate universe entirely. Even Doom 2016 appears to take place in an 'alternate universe' (though it shares some characters and concepts from classic Doom games) the Slayer is one who has traveled across Worlds and Time.Below are various timelines made up from official lore, both original 21st century timeline established by SNES Doom (and to a lesser extent Doom novels), and later 22nd century timelines established by Doom 3 (Doom RPG, and later sources), and used in part in Doom 2016 as well.

In addition is a timeline related to the 'unofficial' Sigil game made by original Romero one of the original designers of Doom (and included in Doom I + Doom II release).

Whatever the case classic doom is tied to newest doom iteration through Quake Champions, and Doom 64 (2020)'s The Lost Levels campaign.^[6] Although its not clear if the new series views old series as having taken place in the '21st century' past, a parallel '21st century past, or a parallel '22nd century'. Only thing known is Doom Slayer is Our Hero from at least Doom I, and II (as per about information for Doom 64 (2020), and Champions implies Doom 3's involvement too).

Final Doom is a little less clear while marketed as being the hero from from previous two games (now promoted to Marine Commander) it may have little to do with the Slayer timeline (2016/Eternal/The Dark Aages), and only part of the classic timelines.

The original Doomguy (B.J. Blazkowicz (Doom)) is also said to be the same hero in Doom 1-3, and of the original Doom RPG as well (which retconned the original series into 22nd century).

Timelines

Crossover Multiverse

Timelines that links many of the various Doom universes together including the classic timeline as part of a greater 'multiverse'.

• Some fans theorize Doom 1-2-64 (and its various spinoffs Final Doom/Legacy of Rust/Doom + Doom II exist in one universe, Doom 3 (ROE/Lost Missions/Resurrection) exist in one universe, and Slayer trilogy exist in a third universe, and that these may be connected together by the same Hell. The Doom Slayer (formerly Doomguy) and possibly other marines fight these invasions into their earths. While Doom Marine/Doomguy/Slayer has fought across worlds and time in the multiverse having explored at least two of these universes. Hugo Martin has claimed that Doom 3 and classic dooms are canon, through Doom 64 somehow....^[7] Though he hasn't specified if he retconned classic/doom 3 into same universe (such as in the RPG timeline), or treats them as separate universes (that Doomguy has visited or fought through as he crossed worlds and time, or alternate marines from those universes took part in)... Quake Champions implies that they may all be the same marine (Doom 1-3, Quake Arena).
• Notably there may be a timeline that is set in MachineGames universe. Some theorize that Machine Games might lead into the 2016/Doom Eternal universe, though the Doom Slayer himself is actually from a variation of the classic universe. Long into the future (after Terror Billy Blazkowicz defeated the Nazis in the 60-80s, after one of his daughters birthed Billy Blaze II, and after the Commander Keen twins (Billy and Billie Blaze III), etc.).^[8]
• Shared timeline - this timeline follows the 'soft reboot' starting with Doom 2016 (with all the dates from Doom 3 and Slayer series included. The original games positions are still unclear in relation of the soft reboots dates, although it's known they happened long before in Doom Slayer's past from his perspective). External/unused information states that Doom Slayer is from another Earth-dimension than that of the new series.
• Console timeline (This is a kind of 'shared' timeline listing information from various console ports. Console Doom series set in the 21st century (c. 2022) based on SNES Doom manual, with the focus on the information from console Doom gamesl) Note not all console dooms necessarily overlap well, nor exist in the same timeline. It mainly focuses on classic doom (not including Doom 3 ports (like Xbox Doom 3, or Xbox ROE).

Games

Classic timelines

Various versions of the classic timelines of the classic games (both original and early console ports).

• Classic timeline (classic Doom series set in the 21st century (as per the novels time frame (similar to SNES, but not specific), maybe as early as 2004) based upon the rough dates given in Doom novels, but only following the games stories)
• Doom Retcon Timeline (Classic Doom series set in the 22nd century)
• Doom II timeline (A focus specifically on the timeline/backstory of Doom II and the Marine's alternate backstory in that game, and references to UAC Mars Base invasion as told in that game (and games influenced by it))
• Nintendo timeline (primarily focused on SNES Doom/Doom 64, in an alternate narrative where Doom II never happened)
• Midway timeline (primarily focused on the Williams/Midway Doom engine games on Playstation and N64)
• Saturn timeline (primarily focused on the Rage software Saturn Doom).
• GBA timeline (info specific to Game Boy Advance Doom I and Doom II)

Doom 3 timelines

Timelines associated with Doom 3 and its various ports. Originally Doom 3 was designed as a reimagined/reboot/alternate universe version of classic doom series. Though Doom RPG and some other releases retconned it into canon of classic doom timelines (see RPG timeline and to a lesser extent 2016 reboot timelines). Additional Doom 3 related timelines are included in the crossover timelines above, and the 2016 reboot timelines below. Some timelines may place Doom 3 as a sequel to Doom 1 or Doom 2 (though it is not entirely clear).

• Doom 3 timeline (only includes information from Doom 3 game and its expansions, and Doom Resurrection. Mostly follows the original idea that Doom 3 was in its own universe/reboot/re-imagining before the retcons by later games.)
• BFG timeline (BFG Edition and the 2019 Unity port (see Doom 3 (2019 Remaster)). This is one of the versions that implies that Doom I-II are part of the same universe as Doom 3. However, their placement is unknown.
• Xbox timeline (Xbox Doom 3 and Xbox ROE.)
• RPG timeline (This focuses on information specific to Doom/Wolfenstein RPG games, which take place in the same universe as Doom 1-3, the Doom RPGS are sequels to those games, and Doom Resurrection (ties into Doom II RPG)) set roughly in 2144-2146 time period.
• ID timeline (Doom 3 as prequel) (this is based on the implied dates from Doom RPG, with Classic Doom taking place 'after' Doom 3)
• ID timeline (Doom 3 as sequel) (Based on RPG timeline with the SNES timeline dates for classic doom, set before the 2145 date of Doom 3).

2016 reboot timelines

• Slayer timeline (timeline based on Doom 2016/VR/Eternal/The Dark Ages/Doom 64 Remaster series, includes Art of Doom information as well).
• Enhanced timeline (similar to Nintendo timeline above, but also includes Doom I Enhanced, Doom II Enhanced, and Doom 64 Remaster release, the setting of Doom 1/Doom 64 is retconned to Mars and the UAC Mars Research Facilities which originally appeared in Doom 3)
• D64R timeline (focuses on the Doom 64 Remaster and its alternate backstory, and ties to Doom 2016/Eternal)
• LRG timeline (info taken from the Limited Run Games reprints/rereleases of the Doom games SNES/Collectins/Doom + Doom II/Doom 64 Collectors Edition).

Third Party

• SIGIL timeline (timeline based on the classic Doom timeline with the addition of John Romero's SIGIL "Episode 5" of Ultimate Doom (this one is non-canon). Original Doom is set roughly May 2020. Officially included as part of Doom + Doom II (though stated to be 'unofficial' episode)
• Fan timeline (timeline based on classic Doom timeline with addition of various commercial, third party, and free fan mods) (this one is non-canon)

Novels

Doom 3 novels

For main article, see Doom 3 novels timeline.

Doom (2005 film/novel)

For main article, see Film timeline.

Doom novels timeline

For main article, see Doom novels timeline. (aka Flynn Taggart timeline). The original Doom is set in 21st century.

Development

• iD history timeline (timeline of Doom development history)

Quake series

• The Arena Eternal is an extradimensional structure created by the Vadrigar and populated with the greatest warriors in all of time and space. The Doom Marine, and other survivors of Phobos invasion: Crash, and Phobos were brought there from their eras to fight.
• Ranger is brought in from his own era to fight as well.
• 21st Century - The Global Defense Force, or GDF, is a supranational paramilitary organization, formed in the mid-21st Century from a large pool of national military organizations and relief agencies, to combat increasingly severe weather events, other natural disasters and terrorist campaigns, as well as to keep the peace in historically unstable regions such as the Middle East. It was created shortly before the Strogg invasion of Earth. The GDF is a fencible military, as opposed to the Space Marine Corps which is expeditionary.
• The Strogg invaded Earth in the mid-21st Century in search of biological components. The Strogg invaded the Earth in the middle of its 21st Century period, taking its inhabitants completely by surprise. Their large invasion fleet arrived in orbit over the world seemingly out of nowhere, and its ground forces quickly proved themselves a dire threat to the existence of Mankind. By the mid-21st century humanity is fighting for its survival against the hostile alien threat seeking to end the Strogg once and for all by invading their homeworld.
• Doom 3 references to Quake: Quake-43, Quakecon Games and Hunter (character).
• The "Armstrong" was an Orbital Space Station in low orbit around the Earth. During the Strogg invasion of Earth, it was used by the U.A.C. to study and store creatures and weapons developed on Mars. When the Strogg invaded Earth, the station had been turned into an Orbital Defense Platform, but it was ultimately taken down by the Strogg. During this incident, Kane found an old U.A.C. weapon which he used to survive. He turned out to be the only survivor of this attack, but United Nations kept him quiet about this incident, leading to rumors that the weapon wasn't all he had found.
• Doom imagery appears in Quake III Arena. The image of a Lost Soul on the lower side of Anarki's board. Another typical Doom image (Demonic head in a pentagram) can be seen on the back of Biker's jacket. There are also several images of the Icon of Sin appearing as wall decorations on some of the maps.
• BFG 10K (the next model after BFG 9K) appears in Quake II and Quake II Arena.

See also

Doom Bible

(Includes all events described or mentioned in the Doom Bible document by Tom Hall) The Doom Bible may of be some interest to individuals looking into the history of Doom's development. While the unused storyline doesn't have any dates to make a specific timeline (other than characters ages) there is at least a detailed list of events.

• Doom Bible

Notes

• Originally 'Classic Doom' was apparently seen as taking place in the 21st century (as also seen in Dafydd novels, and SNES Doom manual). Doom 3 (and Doom 2016) created a new timeline setting the events of that game in the 22nd century (2140s). This appears to be supported by Tom Hall's comments as well concerning the backstory for the series' main protagonist. Doomguy is the grandson of Commander Keen.
• Sam is a character who appears in Doom Resurrection and Doom II RPG. His final outcome is confirmed in Doom II RPG.
• Garret from Doom Resurrection is also mentioned in Doom II RPG.
• Gehenna/Abaddon also appear in both Doom Resurreciton/Doom II RPG connecting them together.
• On the Doom RPG: "Doom RPG is a first-person turn-based role playing game set in the Doom universe...you reprise the role of the Doom Marine made famous in the groundbreaking id Software titles Doom, Doom II, and Doom 3. Say goodbye to humdrum mobile gaming and prepare yourself for the return to Mars in a showdown with the legions of Hell!"
• On Doom 2016 (at least initially it was not a 'reboot' but it has undergone at least three revisions (the second was very different^[9]) so is unclear how much of first revision 'survived'): "It's not a sequel to Doom 3, but it's not a reboot either. Doom 3 was sort of a reboot," Hollenshead told Gamestop. "It's a little bit different than those, and if I told you why, I would get my ass kicked when I got back. So I'll just have to leave it at that."^[10] Quake Champions confirms it more of a soft reboot, but with the same character from the entire series, who has apparently been traveling extradimensionally (across Worlds and Time), and is outside of his original universe in the game (he is the same marine from Doom 1-3, who was related to the classic William Blazkowicz and Commander Keen).
• The introduction in the Doom 3 BFG Edition manual implies that the characters from several games are the same individual, and they represent his adventures: "Step into the boots of DOOM Marine and experience his adventures for the first time, or all over again. Featuring enhanced versions of DOOM 3, DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil and the all new DOOM 3: The Lost Mission, plus the classics DOOM and DOOM II, DOOM 3 BFG Edition is the consummate DOOM experience. Interestingly this seems to go as far to suggest that the marine in Resurrection of Evil is the same marine as Doom 3 (which if true would have to suggest that Marine combat engineer actually did know the nature of the previous incident despite what the manual suggests). However, it also seems to imply that the Bravo Marine in Lost Mission is the same marine, but this is impossible as its timing overlaps with events of Doom 3 (only 6 hours into the invasion).
• The Soul Cube appears in Doom (2016) a reference to Doom 3.
• T. Washington appears in or is mentioned in both Doom 3 and Doom Eternal.
• Quake Champions confirms that the Doom Marine from the classic games is the Doom Slayer and that he still carries a piece of Daisy.
• The cancelled version of Doom 4 had concept art listing the date 08/08/2038 suggesting a rough period for when the cancelled game would have taken place.

References