- Doom: The Dark Ages uses ray tracing to upgrade gameplay elements beyond the aesthetics and visuals.
- The developers are adding accurate hit detection to identify the material and texture the bullets are landing on.
- So, hitting metal or fur can be accurately portrayed, making the action-packed gameplay even more immersive.
It’s clear that id Software has acknowledged the few gripes in the last Doom game, promising to return the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages to the classic gameplay feel everyone adored.
However, ‘classic gameplay’ in no way means that the first-person shooter will not have the latest technological features. id Software has confirmed that Doom: The Dark Ages uses ray tracing to break into completely new gameplay territories.
Why it matters: id Software’s upcoming release is among the first few games that use ray tracing to push gameplay beyond current limitations instead of improving visuals.
In an interview with TweakTown, the director of engine technology, Billy Khan, claims that Doom: The Dark Ages uses ray tracing to upgrade gameplay beyond the current boundaries. id Software is adding accurate hit detection that is nearly impossible without ray tracing.
We also took the idea of ray tracing, not only to use it for visuals but also gameplay.
-Billy Khan
In other words, the game would know whether the bullets you fire land on enemy fur or an armor plate. It would naturally be able to distinguish between complex textures, materials, and surfaces.
When you fire your weapon, the heat detection would be able to tell if you’re hitting a pixel that is leather sitting next to a pixel that is metal.
Other developers have also begun to realize the potential of ray tracing beyond just the visuals; for instance, the Splinter Cell remake utilizes ray-traced reflections for stealth gameplay. However, id Software’s implementation is much more advanced.
For those not in the know, Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch sometime this year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Additionally, id Software is working on other projects, possibly including a new Quake game.
Do you think this first-person shooter’s gameplay will stand out as much different than its predecessors based on this feature? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devotedly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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