DOOM 3 is a first-person survival horror shooter developed by id Software and published by Activision in 2004 for Windows. A retelling of the original DOOM story, it casts players as an anonymous marine sent to a Mars research facility where a portal to Hell has been opened. The game emphasizes atmospheric horror, with dynamic stencil-shadow lighting, a full surround-sound audio engine, and interactive in-game computer panels. Players navigate dark, claustrophobic corridors, battle demonic creatures, and manage a flashlight and limited arsenal. DOOM 3 includes a single-player campaign and a multiplayer mode, though the latter was widely criticized for technical instability. The game's engine, id Tech 4, set a new benchmark for real-time lighting and was licensed extensively. Despite being divisive among franchise fans for its slower pace and horror focus, DOOM 3 was a commercial success and received critical acclaim for its visual and audio design.
The Vault · 2004
DOOM 3
The horror shooter that will make you physically unclench.
DOOMPCShooterSurvival Horror
Screenshots
In the News
Aug 72026
Every classic DOOM campaign is going on one cartridge
Nine DOOM entries on a single Evercade cart for $29.99, and a 3,000-unit DOOM Edition Nexus at $249.99 with pre-orders opening 3pm UK today.
HardwareJul 292026
DOOM Collection for Evercade leaks ahead of full announcement
A DOOM Collection cartridge for the Evercade has leaked online ahead of Blaze's full reveal, showing the original PC DOOM and DOOM 2 on one red cart.
PhysicalJun 282026
Quake’s Creators Look Back at 30 and Admit What It Cost Them
On Quake's 30th anniversary, Sandy Petersen, John Carmack and others reflect on the crunch that built the landmark 3D shooter and, in Petersen's words, broke them spiritually.
IndustryHow to Play TodayYour options for running this game in 2026
Original Hardware
DOOM 3 originally shipped on CD-ROM for Windows. The game requires a PC with a 1.5 GHz processor, 384 MB RAM, and a DirectX 9.0 graphics card. Original discs are common on eBay and in used game stores, though the disc-based copy protection may cause issues on modern Windows versions.
Modern Re-release
Available digitally on Steam and GOG for $9.99 USD. The GOG version is DRM-free and includes the Resurrection of Evil expansion. The Steam version also offers both original and BFG Edition remasters. All versions run on modern Windows with minor config tweaks for widescreen and FPS cap.
Emulation / Other Options
Not required, the game runs natively on Windows. For enhanced compatibility and features, source ports like dhewm3 are recommended.