Transcript of AOL online conference, subject Doom

On Thursday, May 11th, on America Online, we held an online conference from the Williams booth at E3. The topic was DOOM, which has now been announced for the Super NES, and will be released on DOOMSDAY, September 1st, 1995. The guests at the conference were Jay Wilbur, who is one of the founders of id Software, the original developers of DOOM, Kelly Smack from Sculptured Software, who is the project manager in charge of the Super NES version, and Harry Teasley from Williams, who is in charge of the Nintendo Ultra 64 version.

CSEmcee4: Welcome, Geoff Rainville.

NOA Geoff: Hello, Everyone. Sorry for being late. We had phone problems here at the convention center. But we're ready now. We have several guests here at our end. Jay Wilbur, the developer of Doom from id Software is here. We have Harry Teasley from Williams, and Kelly Zmak from Sculptured Software.

Question: How many games do you have currently in development? Question from Ranmaddic.

Jay Wilbur: Several, but the one we're closest to is DOOM.

Question: Is this picture of Doom for the SNES or Ultra 64?

NOA Geoff: It is for the Super NES.

Question: When is the new DOOM coming out?

Jay Wilbur: We have lots of new DOOMs. So it's hard to answer that question. For the PC, the original game with all three episodes plus one extra coming soon.

Question: Which new games will be using the SA1 chip?

Kelly Zmack: DOOM for SNES uses fx2 chip.

Question: Who are the Guests?

NOA Geoff: With us today are Kelly Zmak, Jay Wilbur and Harry Teasley. They are from Williams, id Software and Sculptured Software.

Question: What do you suggest to set up game servers for DOOM and your other products?

Jay Wilbur: For freeware there's a freeware solution (I think APCI). On the commercial side there's a solution from IVS called DWANGO. They can be reached at 18004DWANGO.

Question: With Doom so violent, won't a SNES version ruin it?

Jay Wilbur: Excellent question. No. Both with SNES version and the U64 version, the ratings system will be the users' guide to the game. All the good stuff that is DOOM remains in these cartridge versions.

Question: How much better is Doom on U64 graphically?

Kelly Zmack: Significantly better. It will be played in 24 bit color with bilinear interpolation which means the graphics will be smooth and not pixelly when you get close to them.

Question: Does the SNES DOOM use mode 7?

Kelly Zmack: No, it uses the Super Nintendo FX2 chip.

Question: How long did it take to make DOOM II ?

Jay Wilbur: About seven months with ten people working nonstop.

Question: Will the SNES version be better then the 32x version?

Kelly Zmak: We believe it is superior to the 32x version. We haven't had to remove any of the monsters from the product, and other features have not been removed.

Question: Will there be any way to play multiplayer doom with this game?

Jay Wilbur: Upon release, no. But X band is interested in supporting two player headtohead.

Question: What is the frame rate for the SNES version?

Kelly Zmack: 10 to 15 frames per second. We're hoping for a minimum 15 frames per second on release.

Question: Is Doom for the SNES a brand new Doom or just the original? Also is the SNES Doom full screen?

Jay Wilbur: It IS the original DOOM in every detail. It is full screen.

Question: What will Doom for the Ultra 64 be like? ACM?

Harry Teasley: Entirely new levels, new textures, new music, and several new monsters.

Question: What kind of graphics will Doom for Ultra 64 have?

Harry Teasley: Monsters are being rendered on silicon graphics work stations.

Question: How does the home version compare to the arcade? I know that the graphics in the arcade version are better, but will the home version have improved control?

NOA Geoff: You're asking about MORTAL KOMBAT. We're discussing DOOM.

Question: Any DSPs in use? If so which one and why that one?

Kelly Zmack: No DSPs, just the fx2.

Question: How many megs of power is the SNES DOOM?

Kelly Zmack: 16 Megabits.

Question: What's the chance of this coming out before the U64?

Jay Wilbur: Very good. DOOMsday is 9/1/95.

Question: What Doom is coming out the quickest?

Jay Wilbur: ULTIMATE DOOM and Mac version sometime this summer.

Question: Is the DOOM movie with Schwarzenegger a definite?

Jay Wilbur: Movie is still in development. The final version waiting approval from Universal Studios. No talent agreed upon yet.

Question: Is the Doom for Mac out yet?

Jay Wilbur: Not before end of summer.

Question: Will it be more gory, more weapons? What will it be like?

Kelly Zmack: The Super NES is exactly like the PC version.

Question: Are there any XBand possibilities or some kind of DWANGO hookup?

Kelly Zmack: Yes for Xband.

Question: Will it be on SNES without any special stuff you have to buy?

Kelly Zmack: Yes.

Question: Do you think there will be several more Doomstyle games, i.e., a Vietnam Doom, or a L.A.? Cop Doom?

Jay Wilbur: Not developed by ID software.

Question: Will the home version have any problems with NOA censorship?

Kelly Zmack: No, NOA refers to rating system to monitor product content.

Jay Wilbur: ID will not allow censorship.

Question: We are out of time for this event. We thank Geoff Rainville and DOOM developers for being with us this evening.

NOA Geoff: Thanks to everyone for putting up with the technical troubles. Thank you for the questions. Thanks to Kelly, Jay, and Harry for their answers about DOOM development.

You can download a copy of this transcript from here.