For two decades I was actively working on mods as part of the Doom community. I experienced drama and happyness, as a spectator and as an affected. I worked on projects that had success and I spearheaded projects that failed. With the release of Blade of Agony now, I think I reached my personal peak of a long ascension. Right now, I can enjoy the view from this unique perspective. And after a while it's time to get back, settle myself to the ground and then get used to be part of the game as a player, as a consumer, as a guide.
Experiences to share
Despite having a talent in organizing and leading team efforts, I always tried to come up with unique ideas, with something, that hasn't been done before. I always tried to think out of the box when I started a new project. Creating a map that combines horror- and story-elements with Doom? Let's try it. Reimagining classic Doom's episode one with enhanced features? Risky but why not. Combining assault and invasion into a new game mode? Sounds like it could be fun. Creating a new Wolfenstein mod that could live up as unofficial successor to Wolfenstein 3D? Challenge accepted.
Many releases in the past years have proven, that there are no limits when it comes to Doom mods. ravage's Hocus Pocus port is one of the best examples what single artists are capable to achieve. If you have a vision, don't limit yourself by questioning your own skills. The community is filled with talented and generous people who might either help if you reached a dead end or even join your project if it is promising enough. Look over the edge of the plate and try something new - that's the most important hint I can give you.
What to expect now
While I was gathering memories and looking through my own history, I realized, that I never left the real-life when I was modding. I took my role in a society, a community of painters, of musicians, of architects, of visionaries and of artists. Some of these like Enjay, Nash, Graf Zahl, Nightmare or Xaser are companions for years, some of them became friends, others became competitors. Behind every nickname there is a person, there is a family, there are fates, emotions, dreams. And sometimes even death is part of this circuit. The internet-anonymity seduces us to forget this fact. Don't you forget it.
So what am I doing with my time now? There are a lot of Doom projects in my DoomLauncher that I saved for "a later moment when I have more time", and so are a lot of games like the Resident Evile 2 Remake or Age of Empires II Definitive Edition that I always wanted to play but never did because I simply was lacking time and I preferred to mod. I will definitely stay being part of the community, that's for sure - give advice, help people and simply participate in all this from a player's perspective - and enjoy that. The Realm667 will continue to serve as a community for resources, news and information as long as the staff and I are able to do this. All it needs from you? Keep doomin', release exciting new mods and project and stay hungry & creative!
Best wishes,
sincerely,
Daniel "Tormentor667" Gimmer
Epilogue | Community Voices