What is the Weirdest Thing Doom has been Played On?
Doom, the classic first-person shooter game, has been played on various devices and platforms over the years. From personal computers to consoles, and even unusual items like pregnancy tests and vape pens, Doom has been adapted to run on a wide range of hardware. But what’s the weirdest thing Doom has been played on?
Thermostat: The Unlikely Doom Platform
In 2019, a hacker managed to install Doom on a thermostat. Yes, you read that right – a thermostat, typically used to control temperature and humidity in buildings, was converted into a Doom-playing device. This peculiar feat was achieved by repurposing the thermostat’s microcontroller and using its display to render the game.
Pregnancy Test: The Most Surprising Doom Platform
A California programmer, Foone Turing, took it a step further by installing Doom on a pregnancy test stick. Yes, you guessed it – the same small, handheld device used to detect pregnancy was converted into a Doom-playing device. Turing had to replace the test’s original CPU and screen, but the end result was a functional Doom game running on a ridiculously small platform.
Vape Pen: The Tobacco-Free Doom Experience
In 2021, someone managed to run Doom on a vape pen. Because why not? The vaporizer’s small screen was used to display the game, and the device’s processing power was sufficient to run the game at a decent speed. This novelty hack showcases the versatility and adaptability of Doom as a game.
Keyboard: The Tiny Doom Revolution
A maker, known as TheKeebProject, created a custom keyboard with a built-in Doom-playing capability. This tiny keyboard, designed for retro gaming enthusiasts, has a dedicated Doom button and a miniature screen to display the game. The creators claim that the keyboard can run Doom at 60fps, making it a miniature gaming powerhouse.
Karaoke Machine: The Rhythm-Based Doom Experience
Doom has also been converted to run on a karaoke machine. Yes, you read that right – a device typically used to sing along to music has been repurposed as a Doom-playing device. The karaoke machine’s display was used to render the game, and its processing power was sufficient to run the game at a decent speed.
Ticket Validator: The Unusual Doom Platform
A team of hackers managed to install Doom on a ticket validator, a device typically used to validate public transportation tickets. The team repurposed the device’s processing power and display to create a functional Doom game, showcasing the versatility of the game.
Treadmill: The Fitness-Inspired Doom Experience
In a unique experiment, a team of developers converted a treadmill into a Doom-playing device. The treadmill’s display was used to render the game, and the device’s processing power was sufficient to run the game at a decent speed. This unusual hack combines exercise with gaming, making it a unique experience.
Other Unusual Doom Platforms
Doom has also been played on other unusual devices, including:
- WebTV/MSN TV (a set-top box and internet browser)
- Android TV (a smart TV platform)
- Raspberry Pi Pico (a single-board computer)
- TI-84 Graphing Calculator (a calculator designed for mathematical calculations)
Conclusion
Doom has been played on a wide range of devices and platforms over the years, from the usual suspects like personal computers and consoles to the unusual items mentioned above. These hacks and experiments showcase the versatility and adaptability of Doom as a game, and its ability to run on various hardware platforms. Whether it’s a thermostat, a pregnancy test, or a karaoke machine, Doom has been played on everything and anything, making it a true gaming icon.