Doom 3

From Widescreen Gaming Wiki

Doom 3
Developer(s)	id Software
Publisher(s)	Activision
Release date	August 3, 2004 August 13, 2004
Genre(s)	First-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer

Contents 1 Game Information 2 Version 3 Method 4 Screen change 5 Singleplayer support 6 Multiplayer support 7 Aspect ratio support 8 HUD stretch 9 Cut-scenes 10 Grading 11 Supported Resolutions 12 Screenshots 13 External links

[edit] Game Information

A massive demonic invasion has overwhelmed the Union Aerospace Corporation's (UAC) Mars Research Facility leaving only chaos and horror in its wake. As one of only a few survivors, you struggle with shock and fear as you fight your way to hell and back, in an epic clash against pure evil.

Built on id's revolutionary new 3D graphics engine, DOOM 3 draws you into the most frightening and gripping 3D gaming experience ever created.

[edit] Version

This information assumes that the latest patch, which is version 1.3 as of March 2005, is installed. Enabling widescreen requires changing a game var that was not available in the first retail version.

[edit] Method

This method assumes you have the latest patch. It involves setting a game var that did not exist in the earliest retail versions.

Go to <gameDir>\base, and edit DoomConfig.cfg.

Find these lines:

seta r_customHeight "xxx"
seta r_customWidth "xxxx" 

Change the x's to set your resolution. Now find this line:

seta r_mode "x"

Change the "x" to "-1".

Find this line:

seta r_aspectRatio "x" 

If your screen aspect ratio is 16:9, change the "x" to "1".
If your screen aspect ratio is 16:10 or 15:9, change the "x" to "2".

[edit] Screen change

The horizontal FOV is increased by setting the r_aspectRatio var correctly.

1024x768, r_aspectRatio "0"[1]
1280x800, r_aspectRatio "2"[2]

[edit] Singleplayer support

The gameplay is almost entirely from the standard 3D first person point of view. The only exception is when using the PDA. However, using the PDA reveals an oversight - the PDA's screen is stretched in widescreen mode.

1024x768, r_aspectRatio "0"[3]
1280x800, r_aspectRatio "2"[4]

[edit] Multiplayer support

The r_aspectRatio var is all that is needed for Hor+ in multiplayer mode. Most, if not all servers will allow this var to be set. Whether or not it is possible for a server to forbid this var from being set is undocumented.

[edit] Aspect ratio support

The r_aspectRatio var can be set to 1 for 16:9 displays or 2 for 16:10 displays. You have to set it to the correct one in order for the aspect ratio to look right.

16:9 (e.g. 1280x720), r_aspectRatio "1"[5]
16:10 (e.g. 1280x800, 1440x900), r_aspectRatio "2"[6]

[edit] HUD stretch

The HUD elements stretch in this game. This is most easily identified by examining the health counter's shape.

[edit] Cut-scenes

When in widescreen mode, the prerendered cut-scenes are pillarboxed, which is the best solution for prerendered FMVs that were originally 4:3.

1024x768, r_aspectRatio "0"[7]
1280x800, r_aspectRatio "2"[8]

And the cut-scenes that are rendered on the fly become Hor+.

1024x768, r_aspectRatio "0"[9]
1280x800, r_aspectRatio "2"[10]

The logo intros that are played before the game will stretch in widescreen, but they are not important to the game's plot or narrative.

[edit] Grading

Calculated grade: B
Potential grade: B+

[edit] Supported Resolutions

Resolution	Supported
1280 x 800 (16:10)	N
1440 x 900 (16:10)	N
1680 x 1050 (16:10)	N
1920 x 1200 (16:10)	N
2560 x 1600 (16:10)	N
1024 x 576 (16:9)	N
1280 x 720 (16:9)	N
1366 x 768 (16:9)	N (Tested under Windows XP)
1920 x 1080 (16:9)	N (Tested under both Linux and Windows)

[edit] Screenshots

4:3 screenshot: [11]
16:10 screenshot: [12]

[edit] External links

Official Site: http://www.doom3.com/