FreeDoom 0.5

FreeDoom is free content for free Doom engines.

Id Software have released the source code to their classic game, Doom, under the GNU GPL. This means that the engine which powers Doom is Free Software. However, the game engine is only one component of a complete game.

The Doom engine uses an "IWAD" file to store all of its game data. This contains the raw data used by the game - the artwork, sound effects, levels, everything which defines Doom as a game. Until now, one of the original proprietary files was still needed in order to play Doom.

The Freedoom project aims at collaboratively creating a Free IWAD file. Combined with the Free source code, this results in a complete game based on the Doom engine which is Free Software.

Freedoom has multiple purposes:

- To create a complete Free game based on the Doom engine.
A large library exists of modifications which have been created for Doom over the past ten years; Freedoom maintains compatibility with the original IWAD files so that these modifications can be played.
- To create a pool of Free game material for people to reuse in their own projects.
All material in the Freedoom project is released under the modified BSD license, allowing people to reuse it as they wish. Freedoom contains a large collection of material. This includes Doom levels, sound effects, graphics and music.
- To serve as a demonstration of the talent and creativity of the Doom community.
Despite its age, Doom has retained a surprisingly large community of fans. Freedoom is developed collaboratively by fans of the original Doom games.

Freedoom is currently beta-quality material. Please report bugs you encounter. Be sure to mention the source port you are using and how to reproduce the problem.