Past Life: Game Modder

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About 17 years ago, I built modifications for games, mostly games by or based on the game engine by id Software (DOOM, DOOM II) using tools like Deu by Raphael Quinet and DeHacked by Greg Lewis. Back then I was known as “DragonRook” from AOL. I enjoyed DOOM, but the biggest selling point was the modding community giving us endless new levels and monster customizations, some of them better than the original game.

Castle Phobos end shot

My first mod was “Castle Phobos” that started as 3 levels and grew to 10 levels with original music written by a friend, Ross A Warren. “Terror Mall” was my next project that included a customization that turned the big red demon into glass window that shattered when shot and snipers in trees. My primary goal in both mods was to provide a high level of challenge offering the player barely enough ammunition to survive, more ammunition available to those willing to search for secret doors. Secondarily, I enjoyed toying with architecture. Terror Mall also included “clues” with custom graphics to find the teleporter to the exit. Years later, I also made a small single-level mod for DOOM 3.

 

Terror Mall- watch out for snipers in the trees

Back then I received job offers for level design. I didn’t accept any. My interest moved on, and now that I have the knowledge to write my own FPS I would rather create my own game.

After all these years, I still stumble across my boards containing chat about modifications or receive messages from fans. Although many of the old boards are gone, that people still talk about these old games and mods says a great deal about id Software and the entire modding community. For those that are able to play, try the links at the bottom to the zip files.

Thanks for the kind words about my work and Warren’s original music. I thank Ross A Warren for sharing his great music. Without it, I don’t think “Castle Phobos” would have been as memorable.

From the community:

Download my old mods:

It’s up to you to figure out how to play these mods on modern machines.

Screen shot from my Doom3 mod

  • http://johnwiswell.blogspot.com John_W

    This mod community is still talked about today. I feel sorry I missed it – I had no grasp on the internet until college. Thanks for sharing your maps. Now get on that first person game! The indy space abides creativity.

  • http://www.dracotorre.com/blog/ David G Shrock

    Thanks, John. Yes, the original Doom mod community was a great bunch. Good times when the web was just arriving. The first mods were shared on BBS before transitioning onto the web.