id Software, the longstanding developers of theDoomfranchise, are bringing back the “centered weapon” option inDoom Eternal. Those unfamiliar with theDoomfranchise may not know exactly what that means or why it’s awesome. Centered weapons in first-person games don’t really exist anymore, as more developers aim for a more “realistic” perspective. But the centered weapon was there when id willed FPS games into existence and it’s great to see them back in 2019 with the launch ofDoom Eternal.
Centered weapons are exactly what they sound like. The weapon is shown at the bottom center of the player’s screen, like it’s held by some sort of third hand protruding from the player character’s chest. It was retired in modern games for two reasons. First, from a more realistic perspective, it’s good to show the weapon to the side where it’d be held as if a person was actually holding a weapon. More importantly, with the onset ofmultiplayer FPS games, it grew important to show both the player and their opponent where projectiles were being fired from so as to accurately depict bullet paths. A bullet firing from a person’s chest while their weapon is held to the side is hilarious, but not great for gameplay.
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Though centered weapons have gone all but extinct since 1997, with the onset ofDuke Nukem 3D,Goldeneye 007, andHalf-Life, those familiar with classic FPS games still hold an endearment for the feature.Wolfenstein 3D,Doom,Doom 2, andQuakeall featured centered weapons and are all beloved classics. And in single-player games, a centered weapon can feel especially crisp and accurate, too. There are a lot of reasons to want a centered weapon option.
That’s why Bethesda announcing that id Software is bringing back the centered weapon forDoom Eternalis so awesome. Even if it’s just a single-player-only option, it’ll be nostalgic in all the right ways. It also fits very well with what id Software is trying to do with the modernDoomreboot,because these new games are heavily inspired by retro FPS gunplay and action. Generations of Doomguy approve of the centered weapon.
The centered weapon announcement comes as the latest in a string of retro-inspiredDoomannouncements. The originalDoomandDoom 2were brought to modern platforms in June earlier this year. Now Bethesda is also releasing Sigil, John Romero’s free expansion and official/unofficial 5th chapter for the originalDoomchapter for the rerelease. Buying these classic games also unlock exclusiveclassic Doomguy skins to use inDoom Eternal. It’s a mix of celebrations for the holiday season andDoom’s 26th Anniversary.
Doom Eternalreleases in 2020 on Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
