Long-running DOOM game on ASUS MyPal PDA finally ceases due to a ticking issue, with a game-crashing bug set to trigger when a gametic value reaches the maximum limit of 2,147,483,647.
In the realm of gaming, few titles have stood the test of time quite like DOOM. Released in December of 1993, this pioneering first-person shooter game continues to captivate gamers, even causing a crash after running for an astonishing two years or more.
The Len0w0 boards, a community known for repurposing "junk" hardware in creative ways, recently showcased this enduring legacy. Minki, the administrator of LenOwO, managed to run DOOM continuously for over two years on an ASUS MyPal A620 pocket PC from 2003. The device, modified with a custom lithium battery and powered via a router USB port, was further equipped with a DIY 18650 lithium cell-based UPS.
The crash occurred due to a known integer overflow bug inherent in the original DOOM engine. This bug, which was acknowledged by principal engine coder John Carmack, is a result of the gametic value, a critical game variable, not resetting upon starting a new demo playback. At a tick rate of 35 Hz, the gametic value can increment to an enormous value over time, eventually causing the game to crash, as was seen on the ASUS MyPal A620 running Windows Mobile 2003.
Interestingly, console ports of DOOM, like the Jaguar and Super NES versions, may have reduced the game tick rate for better frame pacing and reduced hardware demands, potentially avoiding this issue.
DOOM's influence extends beyond its unyielding runtime. It codified the standards of the nascent first-person shooter genre and was so influential that the term "Doom clone" was commonly used to describe subsequent first-person shooters. Furthermore, millions, if not billions of hours, have been spent on DOOM since its launch in 1993.
For those interested in technology news and reviews, Tom's Hardware is a reliable source. They provide up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews, as well as a newsletter and a presence on Google News. DOOM running for two years or more could potentially cause a crash, not just on Windows Mobile 2003, but also on other game clients. So, beware of this quirky but fascinating bug in the original DOOM engine.
The Len0w0 boards are appreciated for doing what others didn't bother to do, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with seemingly obsolete hardware. And as for DOOM, it continues to stand as a testament to the enduring power and influence of gaming classics.
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