According to XDA-Developers, developers James Baicoianu and Jason Scott have launched a project called DoomScroll after five years of work. The site archives thousands of classic, user-made Doom WAD files, allowing anyone to browse and play them directly in a web browser. The collection spans the entire history of Doom modding, from simple maps made by kids to full “total conversion” projects with new art and music. Users can click on a 3D preview render of any map and choose to either play it instantly online or export it to download. The project was announced by Baicoianu on Bluesky, framing it as a long-awaited preservation effort for a hugely influential part of gaming culture.
Why This Is More Than Nostalgia
Look, we all know Doom runs on everything. A toaster, a pregnancy test, a circuit board. But here’s the thing: playing the original game is one thing. Preserving three decades of community creativity? That’s a whole different level. DoomScroll isn’t just another port. It’s a living museum. It captures that wild west era of modding where the next map you downloaded could be an unplayable mess from a 12-year-old or a shockingly professional piece of work from a future industry pro.
The Quiet Power of “Play in Browser”
And that “play in browser” feature is the real genius. It completely removes friction. No source port to configure, no files to manually move into directories. You see a weird WAD from 1995, you click, and you’re just… playing it. This is how you make archival projects actually *used*. It turns a dusty library into an interactive playground. I think it subtly makes a powerful argument: that this stuff isn’t just data to be stored, it’s an experience to be had. Right now.
The Double-Edged Sword of a Giant List
But let’s be real. A “whopping great list” is also kind of a problem. Where do you even start? The project’s strength—sheer volume—is also its biggest hurdle for newbies. There’s a ton of crude, early stuff in there. The charm is historical, but the fun might be harder to find without some curation or community ratings. The 3D preview is a great first filter, but I wonder if they’ll add ways to surface the truly legendary WADs that shaped modding culture. Otherwise, you’re just doom-scrolling in the literal sense.
A Blueprint for Game History?
So what does this mean? Basically, DoomScroll sets a fascinating precedent. If this works for Doom, why not for other foundational moddable games? The Half-Life 1 mod scene, early Unreal Tournament maps, the golden age of Starcraft custom maps. This model—browser-based instant play paired with deep archival—could be a template for saving so much of gaming‘s grassroots history before it vanishes from forgotten forums and dead hard drives. It’s a project built on passion, and it shows. You can check out the announcement from James Baicoianu on Bluesky and start scrolling (and playing) at the DoomScroll website.
