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Anyway, here's classic FPS Doom running inside of Notepad

Look at that subtle off-white coloring.

Chris Kerr, News Editor

October 10, 2022

1 Min Read
A screenshot from the Notepad version of Doom

If it exists, there's a good chance it can run Doom. The legendary first-person shooter from id Software has been seen running on everything from calculators and Tesla vehicles to classic ipods and retro-infused consoles like Playdate.

There's even a huge subreddit dedicated to showcasing the classic title running on a weird and wonderful array of devices including a ticket validator, treadmill, microwave, and digital camera.

Now, one developer claims to have gotten Doom running at 60fps inside of Windows Notepad, the stalwart text editor that was first released in 1983 and has been included in every version of Windows ever since.

In a video uploaded to YouTube and shared on social media, creator Samperson showcased just under one minute of footage that feels like a flickering, greyscale fever dream.

Although they didn't break down their process, Samperson explained the footage isn't sped up and that they didn't modify the code of Notepad.exe at all. "This is fully playable, interactive, live, [and uses] zero fakery," added the developer. "This is exactly what it looks like. This is your fault."

The project even caught the attention of Doom co-creator John Romero, who described the notepad iteration as "incredible."


Some folks on the It Runs Doom subreddit also caught wind of the project, and suggest that Doom isn't actually running inside Notepad but is rather using the software as a display. 

Still, it's a pretty neat addition to the "will it run Doom?" oeuvre that once again spotlights an enduring fascination with one of the game industry's most iconic titles.

About the Author

Chris Kerr

News Editor, GameDeveloper.com

Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.

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