Hydra Doom Tournament

A brief history of Doom

Few names resonate with the gaming community as much as the almighty Doom. An instant classic in its own right, it is no exaggeration to say that there was a before/after Doom in the context of gaming history, and more specifically, in the game's decisive and lasting influence on the first-person shooter (FPS) genre.

Released in an episodic format in 1993, Doom sold exceedingly well, won numerous awards, and single-handedly gave rise to a new phenomenon, the modding community, where amateur gamers and programmers could create and add new game modes, maps, weaponry, etc., adding to Doom's ever-expanding universe. The Doom franchise's ongoing success continues to the present day, with the latest installment (Doom: the Dark Ages) scheduled for release in 2025.

The birth of deathmatch in the gaming world

One of Doom's many accolades is popularizing deathmatch, which refers to a free-for-all gameplay mode. In a deathmatch, multiple players face off against each other in an arena until only one player either reaches a preset number of kills (or 'frags') or is the last player standing at the end of the round, depending on the rules. The term ‘deathmatch’ can be traced back to the 1950s, when it was occasionally used to describe wrestling matches. However, Doom rapidly brought it into mainstream use. John Romero, one of the game's designers, is generally credited with applying the word to Doom's gameplay. He, in fact, is said to be the first to use the term deathmatch as applied to FPS.

Hydra Doom Tournament: the birth of deathmatching on layer 2

From a technical perspective, the original Doom represented a seminal moment in game design and technological development. The game's graphic engine, fast (for the era) networking for multiplayer games, and, crucially, the modular design (which supported community authors to add content) turned Doom into a fertile ground for technical innovation that continues to this very day. Doom has been released and is playable on multiple platforms. From standard desktop computers and gaming consoles to unusual devices like an ultrasound scanner, a Texas Instruments calculator, and a satellite, the question ‘Can it run Doom?’ is ubiquitous in gamer and technological circles. As ItRunsDoom puts it, Doom is ‘computer science's most violent Hello World! replacement’. Blockchain technology, and more specifically, a layer 2 solution, is only the latest example of the can it run Doom question. And the answer is yes, a layer 2 solution – Hydra, in this case – can indeed run Doom.

The upcoming Input Output-sponsored Hydra Doom tournament

Following the phenomenal reception of the Hydra-powered Doom tech demo at Rare Evo 2024, Input Output is now planning to sponsor a Hydra Doom Tournament. Here are the details:

Qualifier rounds (December 3rd 2024, launching online during the Constitutional Convention in Buenos Aires, Argentina)

During the qualifying launch event:

• Let the fragging begin! In-person attendance is not required.
• Players will be matched against AI-controlled bots.
• Both pro gamers and gaming guilds will join the fray.
• The game will be played on a custom deathmatch map, Cardano.wad

Ranking phase (December 8th–18th, taking place online)

During this phase, players who pass the qualifying round will participate in a regional ranking round to compete against other players in their region to boost their ranking.

Finals (During the week of January 20-January 25, 2025, in person)

The final rounds will take place in person at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas.

How to participate

Feel you've got what it takes to rise above both the demon horde and the competing Slayers? Join the mailing list to receive updates about the upcoming Hydra Doom Tournament.