doom

The Console Doom timeline is the structured events of the console releases of Doom games (from the SNES port or ports of the games based on the Jaguar Doom port (Jaguar/32x/3DO/GBA (Doom 1 ports), Playstation/Saturn (reimagined mix of Doom and Doom II), and GBA Doom II)), Final Doom PSX, to the original sequel 1997 Doom 64 (built off the Playstation Doom/Final Doom engine), to 2020's Lost Levels (though technically it has little to do with Midway's original timeline, as Midway had nothing to do with it). The timeline is based on the manuals from the SNES Doom/SNES Ultimate Doom (and a variation in the Doom PSX manual).

Background

This timeline is notable as it only appears in the Midway/Williams based games which include SNES Doom, PSX Doom (Saturn Doom), PSX Final Doom, and Doom 64. The latter three make up a trilogy of sorts, which were designed by the same developers, using enhanced Doom engine, share the Aubrey Hodges soundtrack & sound effects, new levels*, new animated skymaps (lower parts of hell include animated orange, or green flamed areas in all three games), new enemies, new endings, and fully realized in Doom 64 with new textures, monster designs and story. This series create a self-contained trilogy of its own.[1]

While SNES Doom and Doom 64 also formed a duology of sorts with Doom 64 being a direct sequel to end of episode 3 in SNES Doom (without the events of Doom II/Final Doom mentioned) and no indication of an Earth invasion (see Doom 64 timeline). It discusses the Phobos invasion, and Marine's retirement after returning from Hell during the three Doom Episodes (see ending of SNES Doom) see Doom 64: The Story So Far (N64).

Other various variant timelines exist depending on the different ports of the games which are also included in this timeline for completeness.

While Doom (2016)/Doom Eternal is technically inspired by and a continuation of Doom 64, the reboot series does not necessarily follow exact same timeline, as the original Midway console series (both the SNES/Doom 64 duology or the PSX/Doom 64 trilogy). It's inspired by generally all versions of Doom including original PC version (references to Daisy, the character does not appear in the Midway games, and thus is never a motivation for the character, during those versions of the story), and even elements of the Doom comic are adapted into new series. However it has a few differences (such as the backstory for Doom 64/Lost Levels begins on Mars rather than Phobos) similar to the backstory of Doom II manual. The new games are included in this page, strictly because of its connection to the Lost Levels of Doom 64 Remaster (see Doom 64: The Story (Remaster). However, other than that the details on the page are mostly influenced by the versions of the stories from the console games.


DoomMNLIndex

Noteably, original Doom (and the early sequels) does not have clear dates for when events take place. Only in SNES Doom (and the novels), it is implied to take place during early 21st century in a neo-1990s retro-futuristic setting, and there are only a few references to amount of time between games. Only the SNES manual gives any 'clear dates' for the events leading up to the events of the original Doom (while novels makes it less clear, and deviates from the games' plots). Otherwise there really isn't much of a timeline to actually list.

Tom Hall has indicated that the protagonist of Doom (the original Doom/Ultimate Doom which he worked on) is the descendant of the main characters from Wolfenstein and Commander Keen series. He is grandson of Commander Keen (which was part of the early concepts of the ID multiverse).[3][4] Tom Hall's comments that he is the grandson of Commander Keen, this supports the theory that the timeline of the SNES manual is accurate. Since Keen grew up in the late 1980s-early 90s and likely would have had a son in the late 20th century to early 21st century (and grandson would have been born in 21st century). The Doom RPG series also took this route with the characters B.J. Blazkowicz and Stan Blazkowicz (though clearly from a later century). The novels which lie outside of the game canon (or canons) also places the general events in the early to mid 21st century, see Doom novels timeline.

Tom Hall has also noted that Doomguy might not necessarily be the grandson of Commander Keen, but some future descendant 'way later', many generations down the timeline (to avoid any specific dating of when Doom took place). This could support the 22nd century references too (Doom 3/Doom RPG series).

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.[5]
...but for the old games: Wolf3D, Spear, Keen1-3, Keen Dreams, Keen 4-6...(many generations)... DOOM 1&2.

Certain aspects about classic Doom games and their manuals are confusing and don't always seem to line up. This has opened up theories that there are events not covered in the game's or even multiple Doom Marines involved. For example Doom's original ending and Ultimate Doom's ending are different than the prologue to Doom 2 with the heroes reaching Earth by different means. Doom 2 also talks about Mars Base being invaded as well from the Outside, and the invasion stopped by the marine who lands on earth via drop ship discovering that Earth has been invaded. Some fans think this might even be the events shown in Doom 3.

Several of the later manuals and websites claim it's the same hero in all the games confusing matters further.

PSX/Saturn Doom places Doom II events directly after events of Doom/Ultimate Doom (only a couple of modified levels from Ultimate Doom are included, without any story context), and with a new original interlude description between Ultimate Doom and Doom II levels. Note: Technically no exact date is given for Doom II, but its assumed by the fans to take place directly after Doom/Ultimate Doom at least chronologically (it technically would depend on how long it takes to get from Mars to Earth in a drop pod).

The exact order of campaigns in Final Doom PSX is not clear either, but the scenarios are listed in the order of Master Levels, TNT and finally Plutonia.

The original PC versions of Ultimate Doom, Doom II (No Rest for the Living, Master Levels), and Final Doom are are unrelated to most console timelines, follow separate endings (with the only similarity being Doom 1 on SNES port being closer to and having similar ending to that of the original Doom (without Ultimate Doom's retcons, and GBA Doom 2 being closer to events of Doom 2 with much of the same interludes). There are no references to Daisy in the console endings (other than GBA Doom showing a picture of Doom guy holding her decapitated head), and its only related to PC games. However, Doom reboot does mix some details from the classic Doom and Doom 64 together (including references to Daisy from original PC Doom games).

However later console ports and Ultimate Doom SNES adds Thy Flesh Consumed and the PC endings.

Note later Bethesda console ports of the series are direct ports of the PC versions (with each game (Doom 1, Doom 2, and Doom 3, linking to Doom Eternal, and giving a special costume for each in the latter game). Final Doom's two campaigns are only available as separate individual downloadable 'add-ons' included for both Doom and Doom II releases, while No Rest for the Living is a separate add-on for the Doom 2 release.



Console Doom Games

(Includes Doom SNES, Ultimate Doom SNES, Doom PSX (Saturn), Doom Jaguar, Doom 32x, Doom 3DO, Doom GBA, Doom II GBA, Final Doom PSX, Master Levels (various console ports), and Doom 64 (The Lost Levels & Fun Levels), No Rest for the Living (Doom 3 BFG edition assorted consoles), and various source ports (Doom I Enhanced, Doom II Enhanced, Doom I + Doom II Enhanced).

Doom Reboot series

(future and/or parallel universe, Doom 64 leads into the 2016 reboot series per the Lost Levels ending...)

Notes

DoomManualPG23
Former Soldiers were first appeared at 17:48. Former Sergeants first appeared at 03:21, Imps appeared at 11:34, first images of Demons was at 20:17, Lost Souls at 02:47, Cacodemons at 09:35, Barons of Hell at 22:59, Cyberdemon at 13:26, Spider Demon at 11:11. The times are there for flavor and show that they they all appeared on the same date, though the times are not particularly useful information beyond that.
PSX Doom adds these times for the new enemies (as they can show up on Phobos, Deimos levels, etc as well): Knights of Hell at 04:16, Arachnotron at 16:08, Chain Gunner at 23:52, Revenant at 01:42, Mancubus at 08;55, Nightmare spectres at 21:04, and Pain Elementals at 06:22.

An alternate version of the Doom timeline based on the Doom Novel's settings for the event might place Doom 1 as early as c. 2011-2012 about a decade earlier.

See also

References

  1. https://www.shacknews.com/article/117322/terraform-the-making-of-doom-64
  2. "Welcome to DOOM 64! The cult classic returns, 22 years after its 64-bit debut. In this follow up to DOOM II, you'll fight through demonic hordes, hunt down the Mother of Demons, and stop Hell's Invasion as you battle through more than 30 action-packed levels!-Introduction from Doom 64 (2020) version
  3. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/01/id-software-co-founders-confirm-that-its-biggest-games-heroes-are-all-related/
  4. https://twitter.com/ThatTomHall/status/958352500431572992
  5. https://twitter.com/ThatTomHall/status/1260280081382948864
  6. Doom Manual: For the last four years the military, UAC's biggest supplier, has used the remote facilities on Phobos and Deimos to conduct various secret projects, including research on inter-dimensional space travel.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Midway Doom SNES manual, cover
  8. Doom SNES Manual, pg 23
  9. Doom GBA manual
  10. this appears to be a reference to the game's bosses
  11. Doom PSX interlude text
  12. Doom II Xbox LIVE Arcade: "Head back to hell for 9 all new in No Rest for the Living!"
  13. according to Nerve Software boss Brandon James the expansion set "continues on Earth after Hell's forces have [seemingly] been vanquished".
  14. Doom I + Doom II menu description
  15. “Id Software set ground rules for a title. First, and most obvious, the game had to have "Doom" in the title. That was their brand. Second, "Doom 3" was off the table. Although id had moved on to Quake, the co-founders had agreed to keep "Doom 3" in their back pocket in the event they returned to the franchise. (Final Doom, a 64-level follow-up to Doom 2 released in 1996, was neither "final," nor did id consider it a proper numbered sequel, though the game does fit into Doom canon.)” https://www.shacknews.com/article/117322/terraform-the-making-of-doom-64?fbclid=IwAR3x_6GX54tg1z3qNq7WScCaZScHA6X28GijMHQx4D9ms8h-bVAy94aJLqg
  16. Situation Analysis: This is it. The end. The end of the undead marines, the acid-drenched hallways and the hell-spawned hordes. The final chapter in the legendary Doom series. This is Final Doom. It's two new 32-level episodes complete with new stories (The Plutonia Experiment & Evilution), new frightening realistic graphics and new pulse-pounding music. It's time to finish what you started. Final Doom. End of story. https://web.archive.org/web/19961220091505/http://www.idsoftware.com/killer/findoom.html
  17. Doom 64 manual
  18. https://www.usgamer.net/articles/exclusive-doom-64-devs-reveal-the-port-will-include-a-brand-new-chapter?fbclid=IwAR3e8G_W3ZvF1AQMmWoxHT5QyU2netAMqbIAz2ygilOXwzJeGZv_5Dy3W8w
  19. SNES Manual, pg 23
  20. Situation Analysis: After days of fighting in space, you've returned to Earth only to find the situation is no better than it was on Mars. In fact, it's worse. The hell-spawned hordes are everywhere. Billions are dead. The few remaining survivors have planned to travel into space and save what's left of the human race. Unfortunately, the Earth's only transport has been taken over by flesh-eating mutants. You have to go back in action. Otherwise, humanity is history. https://web.archive.org/web/19961220090239/http://www.idsoftware.com/killer/doommac.html
  21. Doom II manual: THE STORY CONTINUES...DOOM Il: Hell on Earth Back at last. After days of hard fighting in space, you've returned home on well-earned leave. You're one of Earth's crack soldiers, hard-bitten, tough, and heavily-armed. When the alien invasion struck Mars, you were the first on the scene. By killing, killing, and killing, you won. You stopped the invasion, saved Mars base, and became a war hero. What they don't talk about so much is that you were the only survivor. But that's all behind you now. You've quit the military, and are heading home. Your drop pod lands with a crunch. You open 'er up, and look out. Damn! The city ahead is on fire. What the devil is going on? You stagger forward, clutching at your sidearm. Packs of refugees are fleeing the flaming metropolis. A band of them shriek in terror. You squint. What's that? Someone is attacking the refugees. You rush up and blast away, killing the troublemaker. It looks like a human, but something's wrong. His mouth is filled with half-chewed flesh, and he's all messed up, like a zombie from a bad horror movie. Hell, not again! You can feel it. It's all starting again, just like on Mars. First, people are taken over, turned into cannibal Things. Then the real horror starts, the deformed monstrosities from Outside. But now it's on Earth It turns out that the invaders are all over. Monsters range from Tokyo to Timbuktu, from Stockholm to Scranton. Billions are dead. Some people have been transformed into flesh-eating mutants, but a few, a very few, are still alive and fully human. The wise men of humanity have evolved a plan to save what's left of the human race. They have built enormous ships to carry the remaining people into space, safely away from the ruined world. Unfortunately, Earth's only ground spaceport has just been taken over by the demons. They've instituted a sort of force field - a flame barrier — over the port; no ships can land or take off. You gotta go back into action. The pathetic remnants of Earth's soldiers are making an assault on the invaders at the spaceport. If you win, you might be able to turn off the barrier, so that the ships can leave, and Homo sapiens may not go extinct just yet. If you lose, that's it. Humanity is history. You and your comrades make their attack. Soon, brave men drop like flies. You lose track of your friends, though sometimes you can hear them scream when they die, and the sounds of combat echo from deep within the starbase. Something hisses with rage from the steel tunnels ahead. They know you're here. They have no pity, no mercy, take no quarter, and crave none. They're the perfect enemy, in a way. No one's left but you. You...and Them.
  22. Doom II: The Official Strategy Guide, pg XI
  23. https://www.usgamer.net/articles/exclusive-doom-64-devs-reveal-the-port-will-include-a-brand-new-chapter?fbclid=IwAR3e8G_W3ZvF1AQMmWoxHT5QyU2netAMqbIAz2ygilOXwzJeGZv_5Dy3W8w
  24. 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.