For Doom Eternal fans yearning for official modding support, the wait may soon be over. Recent updates to the game’s files on Steam hint that id Software could be preparing to launch a “Doom Mod Portal” for the popular first-person shooter.
According to reports from WCCFTech and SteamDB, the latest Doom Eternal patch included references to a “DoomModPortal.exe” executable and a “Launch modPortal” description. While id Software has yet to confirm modding plans officially, these additions strongly suggest official mod tools and support are on the horizon for the 2020 hit.
Doom Eternal, the sequel to 2016’s critically acclaimed Doom reboot, continues the franchise’s legacy of intense, fast-paced demonic mayhem. id Software masterfully blended modern visuals with the classic run-and-gun gameplay that made the original Doom games iconic. An active modding community has already produced unofficial mods and gameplay tweaks for the latest entry.
However, official id Software-sanctioned modding support would open new doors for Doom Eternal’s dedicated fan base. Modders could create entirely new campaigns, gameplay modes, weapons, enemies, and more – drastically expanding the “rip and tear” experience. Id’s previous games, like the original Doom and its 2016 predecessor, benefited greatly from official mod tools.
Hints of Doom Eternal mod support actually stretch back to 2019 comments from id Software producer Marty Stratton: “We’ve actually done things technically that are getting us closer to doing mod support, but it won’t be immediate. I think longer term. We made technical decisions years ago that we’re still moving away from, and they’re getting us closer to those kinds of things.”
Now, nearly three years after Doom Eternal’s release, those mod plans appear primed to become a reality. With id Software’s next major project still unannounced, officially supporting an active modding scene could help keep Doom Eternal fresh until the next game arrives.
Speaking of what’s next for members of id Software, Doom composer Mick Gordon recently formed a new studio called emptyvessel focused on “[..]industry veterans who specialize in the immersive shooter space.”
“We believe that with creative independence comes greatness,” emptyvessel says. “We have assembled an inclusive and diverse team that have been empowered to be creative no matter their discipline because our innovation is fueled by our people. Our studio is an emptyvessel [sic] being filled by our creators and, soon, a gaming community who will help craft the new horizon of gaming.”
Alongside industry veterans from franchises like The Last of Us, The Callisto Protocol, Uncharted, and more, Gordon aims to push immersive shooter experiences forward.
While emptyvessel’s debut project remains under wraps, a teaser video hints at an atmospheric, environmental narrative style akin to games like Prey or the Wolfenstein reboots. If successful, perhaps emptyvessel’s work could inspire id Software’s own future Doom installments.
But for now, Doom Eternal remains id’s latest hit – and official modding support could soon unleash a torrent of new user-created content. From new single-player campaigns to multiplayer modes and gameplay overhauls, the modding possibilities feel endless for the demon-slaying epic.
NEXT: Concept Artist Satoshi Okano Teases Sega and Capcom Crossover Igniting Fan Speculation
Leave a Reply