doom

Canon would refer to the body of works related to a particular subject and considered proper history and continuity to series. The Doom series may contain more than one canon based on storylines of various reboot universes.

See also Timeline.

Background

In case of Doom there are very few official comments that relate to canon or discuss canon directly. Sometimes official positions are contradictory or changes over time (or retcons are made).

As such there are a number of fan theories as to what comprises canon or what is not canon these can only be considered Fanon as there is very little as far as confirmation on what is canon.

In addition the Doom series has received a number of spinoffs and reboots throughout its life as well as tie ins.

Each reboot could be considered separate canons or alternate universes as part of a multiverse (Quake Arena backstory for example, Arena Eternal outside time and space, with heroes from various "alternate universes").

Tom Hall and John Romero have confirmed that several ID series are in fact connected. Doom Marine (from Doom/Ultimate Doom) is a Blazkowicz descended from Commander Keen, and William J. Blazkowicz before him[1] (this does not apply to the MachineGames reboot universe however which follows its own universe with an alternate history for B.J. and a different family tree, and its own alternate Keen family as part of the ID multiverse). This is also mentioned in Wolfenstein/Doom RPG series as well. See ID multiverse timeline.

In both Doom RPG website and Doom 3 boxset the hero for most of the games is alluded to be the same hero in Doom 1-3 (and the RPG series). However, the exact order of the series is not entirely clear. With some interpretations placing Doom 3 as a sequel after first two games, and others as a prequel. A number of sources would support the idea that original Doom series takes place almost a century before Doom 3.

However Doom II's marine may or may not be the same character or a separate character from the Doom I character depending on different manuals and websites. His backstory differs from that of the original Doom character in that he fought on UAC Mars Base and escaped in a drop ship (mirroring events of Doom 3). Whereas as original Doom character fought in Phobos and Mars and in both original Doom and Ultimate Doom reaches earth via transporter gateways. Both Doom RPG website and Doom 3 BFG Edition try to establish that its the same Marine in all the games (however this would ignore certain details from other manuals or the games themselves, or at least make things in the timeline far more convoluted, or at least in an unknown order). Doom 3 BFG Edition's manual also goes as far to include Lost Mission and Resurrection of Evil in that claim (which is unlikely considering that in-game clearly indicates they are seperate Marines with different ID numbers, and in case of Doom 3 and Lost Episodes occur concurrently with each other).

Quake Champions brings back Doom (Quake III Arena), now listed as Doom Slayer, and mentions his pet Daisy confirming a link between Doom 2016 and Doom 1. Doom Slayer also comes with his uniforms from Doom 2016 (Praetor Suit), Doom Classic (Doomguy), Quake Arena (Arena), and Doom 3 (Doom Marine), and biography details that links all the games together.

The game also brings new MachineGames William Blazkowicz from his "universe" to the Arena Eternal (the place outside of time and space).

The Fanon tends to argue against the veracity of some of these sources, assigning different levels of theorized canonicity to the various references. But for most part ID's internal position is not known.

Levels of Canon

Note: This is general opinion of the Fanon, not necessarily developers or Bethesda's positions on the matter.

Crossovers

Timelines

Depending in marketing and licensed websites and other official sources there are a number of different interpretations of the Doom canon timelines.

Crossover Multiverse

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

Note: These are based on the implied dates from Doom RPG, with Classic Doom taking place 'before or after' Doom 3)

Games

Third Party

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

Quake series

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.

Notes

References

  1. https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/01/id-software-co-founders-confirm-that-its-biggest-games-heroes-are-all-related/%3famp=1https://www.resetera.com/threads/keen-blazkowicz-and-doomguy-are-all-related-tom-hall-confirms.19853/
  2. “Final Doom, a 64-level follow-up to Doom 2 released in 1996, …the game does fit into Doom canon.” https://www.shacknews.com/article/117322/terraform-the-making-of-doom-64?fbclid=IwAR3x_6GX54tg1z3qNq7WScCaZScHA6X28GijMHQx4D9ms8h-bVAy94aJLqg
  3. SIGIL II SIGIL II is now officially included as part of the DOOM + DOOM II package. It is available from the game select menu at startup. Note: Save games from the Mods version are not compatible with the officially included version. However, the existing Mods version will remain online to users subscribed to it.
  4. https://www.romerogames.com/games/sigil2
  5. cancelled Commander Keen Mobile Game
  6. ”Regarding the Maximum DOOM archive, those wads are not canonical…” https://classicdoom.com/hosted/larsen/mlfaq103.htm
  7. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-05-31-john-romeros-unofficial-fifth-doom-episode-sigil-is-finally-outhttps://twinfinite.net/2018/12/doom-spiritual-successor-sigil/
  8. https://slayersclub.bethesda.net/en/article/6E7CFfvntP4IBeRyDzalUr/nods-to-mods-sigil
  9. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-12-12-bethesda-adds-john-romero-sigil-mod-to-doom-console-ports
  10. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-10-bethesdas-doom-1-and-2-console-ports-adding-final-doom-sigil-for-free