Software Engineering Daily DOOM on Super Nintendo with Randy Linden
Oct 10, 2024
Randy Linden, a legendary engineer known for his work on the SNES port of DOOM, shares his insights into the challenges and triumphs of bringing this iconic game to life on a less powerful console. He discusses innovative features like dual rumble support and the advancements made with the Super FX 3 chip. Linden also touches on evolving game design practices and the delicate balance between nostalgia and modern technology in remakes. Plus, learn about the exciting new version of DOOM that boasts performance improvements!
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Early Programming Anecdote
- Randy Linden began programming as a child on a Commodore PET, inspired by Space Invaders.
- At 12, he wrote his first assembly program and learned through mistakes like printing raw machine code to a printer.
Building Super FX Development System
- Randy created a Super FX dev system by hacking a Star Fox cartridge with a breadboard and EEPROM.
- This "ROMulator" allowed rapid software development for games like Dirt Track FX and inspired his SNES Doom prototype.
Doom Prototype Leads to Official Release
- Randy developed a SNES Doom prototype in his spare time before his company officially licensed it.
- The leadership was amazed and contacted id Software, leading to an official release with Randy as sole programmer.
