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Conference 501clb::pcdoom

Title:Doom - The Game
Notice:Doom stuff - see 183 Out of HOURS Access
Moderator:BAHTAT::HILTON
Created:Tue Jun 14 1994
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:212
Total number of notes:3287

75.0. "Reviews " by IOSG::CHEWTER () Tue Aug 02 1994 07:19

    
    About time we had a note of reviews for different wads, to start 
    things off here's a list of 200 deathmatch wads.
    
    -John.
    

+=========================================================================+
|                      DOOM DEATHMATCH WAD RANKING                        |
|                      =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=                        |
|                  200+ WADS - Revision Date: 08/01/94                    |
+=========================================================================+

             Compiled by: James Dicke & "Chainsaw Jim" Urbas
          Dedicated to all those who love to frag their friends.
                               =-=-=-=-=

It is a shame to see many of our favorite deathmatch WAD's getting very low
ratings from other reviewers... Why?  Simply put, they are reviewing WAD's
as stand alone games-- this was NOT the intent of most deathmatch WAD's!
Thus, this list was born: relative to deathmatch conceivability only.
Meaning that story, graphics, music, secrets, and cute tricks take back-seat
to the WAD's ability to host multi-player carnage.

    ***************************************************************
    *   This list is sorted by Game Play, Design, and then Name.  *
    *    - Deathmatch Episodes follow individual map listing.     *
    *    - Full legend and credits follow this list.              *
    ***************************************************************

===========================================================================
    G = Game Play                       T = Type (Action/Hunting/Both)
    D = Design                          W = Weapons at skill 1 (0-4)
    # = Recommended Minimum # Players   M = Monsters at skill 1 (0-5)
 
G D Name      Map   Released  #T WM  Short Description and Comments
- - --------  ----  --------  -- --  ----------------------------------------
+ 9 markroom  E1M1   4-15-94  2A 30  Dark arena w/steps -x
+ 7 ledges    E1M1   4-20-94  2A 34  Tunnels around a main room +D2
+ 6 shadows   E1M1   4-11-94  2A 40  2 small rooms connected w/halls -X
+ 5 house     E1M1   5-28-94  2A 40  Simple house design, no furniture -X
 
9 7 butt      E1M1   6-17-94  3B 44  Wood arena, shadow snipers +SM -X
9 7 ihrke2    E1M1   7-22-94  2A __  Pit w/ledges and crasher -x
9 7 ledges3   E1M1   6-07-94  2A 34  2 rooms w/ledges, stairs, & elevators
9 7 peace     E1M1   5-18-94  2B 40  Based on Shadows
9 6 cor81     E1M1   5-31-94  4A 40  Corridors w/side rooms. Invs walls -X
9 5 corr2     E1M1   5-31-94  2A 40  VSml. Cross shaped. Light switch -X
9 5 circle    E1M1   7-13-94  2A 30  A circle w/guns in outside doorways. -X
9 _ hitmeinf  E1M1   7-20-94  2B __  One lrg oval room w/obsticals
  
8 9 markrm3   E1M1   6-13-94  2A 22  Staircases -x
8 8 core      E1M1   5-30-94  4B 34  Vbig, square/symmetrical +G
8 7 buttv2    E1M1   7-19-94  3B __  Updated version of BUTT for +D2
8 7 shadows3  E1M1   5-17-94  2A 40  Updated shadows, cute- less playable
8 6 e2m1_joe  E2M1   7-14-94  2B 30  Three large elevators w/connecting halls
8 6 nova      E1M1   5-12-94  2A 32  Arena in outer ring. Passable walls -x
8 6 styx      E1M1   6-15-94  2A 30  Court yard w/bridge & sniper halls
8 6 tourney   E1M1   6-27-94  2B 30  Central court yard w/snipe zones
8 5 fragday   E1M1   7-03-94  2A 40  Several big rooms, stairs, yard
8 5 ihrke1    E1M1   7-22-94  2A __  Simular to "dthbox.wad" TonsOWeapons -x
8 5 stream    E3M1   7-01-94  3A 40  Compound built around a stream -x
8 _ lavapit   E1M1   7-27-94  2B 4_  Sqr. rooms w/halls & lova moat.
8 _ facelift  E1M1   7-25-94  3B __  Elevators w/center room & teleporters
8 _ jeff19a   E1M9   7-26-94  2B __  Several circle rooms w/yard. LotsOammo
  
7 + maverick  E2M1   6-03-94  3B 23  Tom Neff; Little ammo, Multi-Theme Map +Cx
7 9 bludlust  E2M1   5-12-94  4H 45  Tall center room, plus shaped
7 8 bludlst2  E1M9   5-20-94  4H 43  Star shaped, lots of suicide
7 8 draco1    E2M1   7-22-94  4H __  Cross halls, Elevators, & Teleporters
7 8 jadml1m1  E1M1   4-07-94  2A 21  Dark central room w/sniper points -x
7 8 pentadth  E2M1   7-01-94  5B 30  5 Large Rooms w/ledges & elevators -X
7 8 tnplhome  E1M1   6-03-94  3A 31  Someone's nice home w/furniture
7 7 room      E2M1   6-27-94  2B __  Lrg room w/big pillers -x
7 6 chase     E1M1   7-01-94  2B 34  Center room w/side chambers
7 6 octafrag  E1M1   4-26-94  3B 12  Center elevators & snipe zones -X
7 6 tncross2  E2M1   4-05-94  2A __  *corrupt*  (Use DMSMALL1)
7 6 ultima    E1M1   5-02-94  2A 31  1Rm, Suspended Cross -x
7 5 clash     E1M1   5-23-94  2A 30  Symmetric w/center room, no Spec
7 5 cwwad     E1M1   6-08-94  5A 33  VLrg. Center room. Pyramid. Berserks
7 5 deathme   E3M1   6-06-94  2A 45  Large Sq w/pillars, barrels, windows +M
7 5 duo_1     E1M1   4-29-94  2H 30  Square area w/outside corridor
7 5 hexxed    E1M1   6-06-94  2A 45  Caged Spider & Cyber -x
7 5 swetdeth  E1M1   5-06-94  3B 35  Square room w/trench & hill
7 4 nasty11   E1M1   6-03-94  1A 21  Simple octagon w/weapons in center
7 4 steps3    E1M1   3-30-94  3B 33  Multi-rooms & snipe windows
7 3 dthbox    E1M1   5-04-94  2A 40  VSml room w/ TonsOweapons on pillars
7 2 t3        E1M1   6-25-94  1A 50  VSml. 4 doors, 4 rooms, 4 Weapons. -X
7 _ qwert7    E2M1   7-20-94  2A __  Caverns and 1-way walls
7 _ town      E3M6   7-21-94  3H __  Many buildings & walls
7 _ show      E1M1   7-21-94  3H __  Lrg hex room w/sniper zones
7 _ lurker    E2M1   7-24-94  3B __  Circles w/1 way walls & halls +D2
7 _ auror12a  E1M2   7-29-94  3H __  Lots of secrets, pillers, platforms
7 _ tkmaz14a  E1M4   7-29-94  2H __  Twisty halls, hidden maze
7 _ chase21a  E2M1   7-25-94  2B __  Center building w/outside yard +G
7 _ phrag21a  E1M1   7-25-94  4H __  Several halls & lrg rooms (Nudes) +G
7 _ trimatch  E1M1   7-20-94  2B __  Three circles connected w/outer circle
7 _ bilbo11   E1M1   7-28-94  3B __  Halls & rooms *M -x
7 _ chain     E2M1   7-31-94  2B __  LotsOchainsaws, drak areas, fake walls
7 _ ojsim1    E2M1   7-31-94  3B __  Several rooms w/secret snipper zones
 
6 8 morehell  E1M1   5-06-94  4H 11  VBig.  Interconnected rooms. +Cx
6 7 fragyou   E1M1   6-25-94  3A 22  Court yard w/stairs & elevators
6 6 dethe1m1  E1M1   4-30-94  4A 31  A large house. +GM
6 6 dethmaze  E1M1   7-13-94  4H 32  A maze w/some darkness & sniper zones
6 6 spaz      E2M1   6-27-94  5H 45  2 Large Rooms, Perches & snipe zones
6 5 gore1     E1M1   4-18-94  4A 30  Large cavernous rooms (maze like)
6 5 speedoom  E1M1   6-20-94  2A 30  Square room w/teleporters (DM?)
6 5 spiral    E2M1   4-20-94  4H 34  Room w/spiral stairs + small rooms
6 5 the-keep  E1M1   5-08-94  4H 30  In the shape of a castle/moat/court
6 5 theta-4   E1M1   5-14-94  4H 30  Outside arena. Large rooms. +G
6 5 zzone     E1M1   4-20-94  2A 35  Big room w/perches
6 4 dmaze     E1M1   7-01-94  4H 30  Dark large twisting caverns
6 4 fig8      E1M1   7-23-94  2B 4_  Figure 8 shaped.
6 4 ledges2   E1M1   5-17-94  2A 34  Like Ledges, sloppy
6 3 avrax     E3M4   6-08-94  5H 40  Paths & Arenas. TonsOAmmo
6 3 grease    E3M1   6-24-94  2A 33  Inverted pyramid. One way-down
6 _ drkstair  E2M1   7-20-94  3B __  Stair pit w/outer halls -x
6 _ lost_dth  E3M1   7-__-94  4H __  Several buildings, teleports, sniper
6 _ tunnels   E1M2   7-21-94  2A __  Butterfly shapped caverns w/teleports
6 _ pits13a   E1M3   7-29-94  3H __  Inverted pyramid, platform, teleporters
6 _ ash15a    E1M5   7-26-94  2H __  Tons of small rooms w/doors
6 _ batman    E2M1   7-24-94  4H __  Lots of loops & shadows
6 _ horror    E1M1   _-__-94  4H __  Halls & rooms -x
  
5 9 space     E1M1   5-27-94  2B 33  Several large room in outer space +GS
5 9 the_grid  E2M1   5-20-94  4H 23  SLOW. Lots of nooks & crannies
5 8 trench    E1M1   5-12-94  3A 21  Trenches to run around in outside
5 7 markrm2   E2M1   6-13-94  3A 22  Veritical floor maze -x
5 7 swig1     E1M1   7-01-94  5H 35  4 Rooms, 50 Rockets
5 6 afro      E1M1   4-19-94  4H 23  Large Complex level
5 6 flat-692  E1M1   6-07-94  2A 34  A house w/furniture & yard
5 6 jadml1m1  E1M1   4-07-94  2B 22  Dark Ring w/Powerups
5 6 warehse1  E1M1   6-13-94  5H 35  VBig. Boxes mazes & outside yard
5 5 11bones   E1M1   4-11-94  4B 21  Center room w/halls & perches
5 5 bigbro    E1M1   4-19-94  5H 23  Large rooms. One "god" player -x
5 5 cross     E1M3   3-11-94  5H 34  Big complex w/many rooms
5 5 dspiral   E2M1   1-26-94  2A 43  Arena & spiral stairs in center -x
5 5 flash     E1M1   4-04-94  4H 14  Side rooms w/central pit & balcony -x
5 5 frgfst21  E2M1   5-02-94  5H 21  Hex room, spiral stairs, big court yrd
5 5 techbase  E1M1   5-31-94  4H 32  Large room w/crates + snipe zones -x
5 5 urbnbeta  E1M1   6-06-94  4B 32  Several big houses & yards
5 4 acheron   E1M3   6-10-94  4B 22  Many hex rooms & teleporters
5 4 dodge     E1M1   6-29-94  2B 45  Very dark. Square chambers w/Barons
5 4 jaredm11  E1M1   7-03-94  3B 40  Coliseum w/side halls & teleports
5 4 xeno11    E1M1   5-24-94  5H 35  Many room complex w/outside area +G
5 3 cantrun   E1M1   6-27-94  4H 50  VBig, TonsOWep Repetitive -X
5 3 stolen    E2M1   7-01-94  4A 35  Based on Shadows. Bad lighting.
5 2 quirul    E1M1   7-01-94  4A 12  Large warehouse w/halls -X
5 2 rip2      E1M4   6-13-94  3B 30  Many caverns -X
5 1 canyon    E2M1   6-08-94  4B 32  Twisty canyon
5 _ kill      E1M1   7-22-94  4H _0  Open area, ledges, buildings
5 _ circle_   E1M1   7-22-94  5H __  Vlrg. interesting complex.
5 _ rip2      E1M1   7-16-94  __ __  -x
5 _ rip5      E1M3   7-16-94  __ __  -x
  
4 8 coloseum  E3M1   6-08-94  3A 35  Circular room. Outside Secrets
4 8 deadzone  E1M1   6-07-94  5H 22  Arena & lift grid
4 7 thekeep2  E1M1   5-15-94  4H 20  In the shape of a castle/moat/court
4 7 9-to-5    E1M6   6-13-94  5H __  Vlrg office building w/outside.
4 6 dmat4     E1M1   7-01-94  3A 44  Large warehouse. LotsOBarrels
4 5 freedom   E2M2   5-12-94  4H 33  Halls & large caverns interconnected
4 5 sewer     E2M1   5-30-94  5H 32  Large open center circled by building
4 5 stairs    E1M1   4-30-94  6H 35  VBig. Lots of rooms & stairs
4 4 grrfy11   E1M1   4-16-94  3H 22  Large multi-room complex -x
4 4 pyramid   E2M1   5-11-94  4H 34  Pyramid w/mazes. (DM?)
4 4 quary11   E1M1   5-02-94  2A 33  Large pit w/trenches. -X
4 4 rampage   E1M1   5-16-94  4H 33  Large complex w/many small rooms
4 3 atica     E1M1   6-29-94  4H 12  Large maze w/outside area
4 3 horror21  E2M1   5-28-94  4B 45  Multi-room complex
4 2 pellejos  E1M1   7-01-94  3A 10  Large Square room w/outer ring -X
4 _ biosci    E1M1   7-22-94  5H _4  Outside yard w/Lrg. building
4 _ gryblood  E2M2   7-20-94  4H __  Bizaar floating building (DM?)
4 _ holymoly  E2M3   7-20-94  2A __  Huge circle arnea -x
4 _ rip3      E1M2   7-16-94  __ __  -x
4 _ rip4      E1M1   7-16-94  __ __  -x
4 _ rip6      E3M1   7-16-94  __ __  -x
4 _ rip7      E1M5   7-16-94  __ __  -x
4 _ rip8      E1M3   7-16-94  __ __  -x
4 _ convertm  E1M1   6-30-94  4H __  Rooms w/cages, halls, elevators -x (HOM)
4 _ hiding    E1M1   7-28-94  4H __  Halls, Lrg rooms, traps, secrets
  
3 6 castle    E1M1   7-12-94  5H 33  VLrg. Castle layout w/outside & moat.
3 6 longmtch  E2M1   4-21-94  4H 43  Lots of rooms, cages, secrets
3 5 djg21-1a  E2M1   3-28-94  5B 45  Rooms connected by halls
3 5 nitro2    E2M1   6-08-94  3H 23  Interconnecting rooms
3 5 pleasure  E1M1   5-10-94  5B 15  Huge stadium w/bleachers & lot -x
3 4 daemon2   E1M1   4-07-94  4H 25  Not a deathmatch specific.
3 4 upliftng  E1M1   4-17-94  4H 25  Halls, pits, & trees
3 3 hellbnd   E2M1   6-04-94  5H 30  Large multi-room complex
3 3 jal_dm1   E1M1   5-10-94  3B 31  Several large court yards + teleports
3 3 jeff-1-2  E1M2   3-24-94  4H 31  Large rooms some dark w/teleports
3 3 rings     E1M1   6-19-94  2A 12  Sq. Rings around a central block
3 2 dprison   E1M1   1-21-94  2A 45  All start in center room w/Baron
3 1 arena     E1M1   4-08-94  6A 40  Biggest room ever- Lots of HOM & equip
3 _ wwf       E1M1   7-27-94  2B __  Arena & halls
  
2 8 dethwalk  E2M1   4-11-94  2A 33  Planks on a green acid lake
2 8 quatro    E1M1   6-14-94  4H 44  VBig multi-level complex w/outside
2 4 lvnghell  E1M1   7-01-94  2H 33  Lots of large & weird rooms +M -X
2 4 pillars   E1M1   2-18-94  3H 34  Pillar room, Outside circle
2 4 sniper    E1M1   6-30-94  3H 32  Many connected rooms -x
2 4 softhell  E2M1   6-14-94  4H 35  Very big complex. Too many monsters
2 4 rock-it   E1M1   5-09-94  4H 35  Several Large rooms. Many Suicide
  
1 1 nitro1    E2M2   5-20-94  2A 30  Very small. Interconnected rooms.
1 2 stewbeta  E1M1   9-07-78  5H 45  Outside lake & tower (lots of HOM)
1 3 tnspires  E2M1   4-07-94  2A 10  4 tall pillars surround by acid

************************ NEW WADS AS YET UNTESTED ***************************

G D Name      Map   Released  #T WM  Short Description and Comments
- - --------  ----  --------  -- --  ----------------------------------------
_ 6 fragasm   E1M1,2 6-28-94  __ __  2 Maps by Scott Coleman; Beta Release?
_ 1 e1l1kp    E1M1   4-27-94  2A __  Lg Hex Room
_ 4 surmont   E2M1   7-01-94  4H __  (Not a DM) +G
_ 6 frodo4    E1M1   7-05-94  4H __  FrodosWAD 4.3; 1st try
_ 7 stadium   E1M1   6-25-94  __ __  Very simple; Looks like football stadium
_ 3 death1    E1M1   5-04-94  0A 00  Itty bitty; distributed with DEATH9.ZIP
_ _ peace_20  E1M1   7-18-94  __ __  Updated version of PEACE for +D2
_ _ death__   E1M1   7-26-94  __ __  Super TonsOammo, Elevators


**************************** DEATHMATCH EPISODES ****************************
 
G D Name      Map  Released  #  Comments
- - --------  ---  --------  -  ---------------------------------------------
8 4 dmatch1   E1    6-27-94  2  9 maps: lrg room; small room; raising walls
6 5 xfire     E1    6-29-94  4  3 maps: Open room; circle; big w/elevators
6 _ master2   E2    7-22-94  _  +DM2
5 6 halls1-9  E1    6-28-94  3  Halls of Death episode. 9 maps -x +Cx

*** COMBOS ***
8 8 dmsmall1  E1    n/a      2  Markroom, Ledges, Shadows V3, TnCross2
7 7 dmsmall2  E1    n/a      2  Ultima, Clash, Jadml1m1, Styx, Hexxed,
                                Speedoom, Nova, Corr2

Note:  All combo maps have marked exits.  Combo Ratings are an average
       of the component maps.


*********************** MODIFIED ID LEVELS (Unrated) ************************

G D Name      Map   Released  #T WM  Short Description and Comments
- - --------  ----  --------  -- --  ------------------------------
- 0 bobworld  E1M1   4-01-94  -- --  Modified E2M1
- 0 darkness  E1M1   3-26-94  -- --  Modified E1M1
- 0 dd        E1M1   7-14-94  -- --  Modified E1M1
- 0 death_    E1M1   4-26-94  -- --  Modified E1M1; Extra monsters
- 0 dmatch    E1M1   3-29-94  -- --  Modified E2M1; Black
- 0 e1l5ko    E1M1   4-15-94  -- --  Modified E1M5
- 0 e1l5ko1   E1M5   3-11-94  -- --  Modified E1M5
- 0 e1m1dal   E1M1   3-14-94  -- --  Modified E1M1
- 0 e1m1osk3  E1M1   3-14-94  -- --  Modified E1M1
- 0 e1m1osku  E1M1   3-09-94  -- --  Modified E1L1; for deathmatch
- 0 e1m5_djs  E1M1   3-30-94  -- --  Modified E1M5
- 0 e2m9mh    E2M9   3-30-94  -- --  Modified E2M9; Brighter
- 0 hunte1m1  E1M1   3-14-94  -- --  Thing Modified E2M2
- 0 hunte1m2  E1M1   3-14-94  -- --  Thing Modified E3M2
- 1 serpent   E1M1   5-31-94  -- --  Modified E1M2
- 0 stepz11a  E1M1   7-28-94  -- --  Modified E1M1

******************** IDs ORIGINAL MAPS (DOOM.WAD) ***************************

Because we are not ranking any WAD's that are modified versions of id's
orignal levels, it's only fair to rank the DOOM.WAD levels.  These ratings
are from Matt Fell (author of the Unoffical DOOM Specs) so they are only
realative to themselves (not our overall list).  Thanks for the help Matt!

G D Name      Map   Released  #T WM Comments
- - --------  ----  --------  -- -- -----------------------------------------
8 + doom      E3M6  12-10-93  4B 33 -x
8 7 doom      E1M5  12-10-93  3B 32
7 + doom      E2M2  12-10-93  5H 33
7 + doom      E3M3  12-10-93  4B 42
7 + doom      E3M5  12-10-93  4H 42
7 8 doom      E1M3  12-10-93  4B 32
7 8 doom      E1M4  12-10-93  4B 32
7 7 doom      E1M9  12-10-93  3A 33
6 + doom      E2M4  12-10-93  5H 32
6 + doom      E2M7  12-10-93  6H 33
6 9 doom      E1M6  12-10-93  5H 32
6 9 doom      E1M7  12-10-93  4B 32
6 9 doom      E2M1  12-10-93  3B 32
6 9 doom      E2M3  12-10-93  4A 32
6 8 doom      E2M6  12-10-93  4B 33
6 7 doom      E3M2  12-10-93  5B 33 -x
5 9 doom      E2M5  12-10-93  5H 33
5 8 doom      E1M1  12-10-93  2A 31
5 8 doom      E3M1  12-10-93  3A 32 -x
4 9 doom      E3M4  12-10-93  5H 41
4 8 doom      E3M7  12-10-93  5H 42 -x
4 7 doom      E1M2  12-10-93  4H 32
4 7 doom      E2M9  12-10-93  2A 35 -x
3 8 doom      E2M8  12-10-93  3B 35 Warning: Map 8; No Stats!
3 8 doom      E3M9  12-10-93  3A 45 -x
3 7 doom      E1M8  12-10-93  2A 25 Warning: Map 8; No Stats!
3 7 doom      E3M8  12-10-93  2A 35 Warning: Map 8; No Stats!


****************************** OLD WADS *************************************

G D Name      Map   Released  #T WM  Short Description and Comments
- - --------  ----  --------  -- --  ------------------------------
- - 11inhell  E1M1   4-07-94  -- --  OLD; use MOREHELL
- - daemon    E1M1   4-07-94  -- --  OLD; use DEAMON2
- - halls2    E1M1   5-17-94  -- --  OLD; use HALLS1-9
- - shadwad   E1M1   4-11-94  -- --  OLD; use SHADOWS/SHADOWS3
- - hockbeta  E1M1   3-31-94  -- --  OLD; use HOCKEY10
- - tncross   E1M1   3-27-94  -- --  OLD; TnCross2 is corrupt, use DMSMALL1
  

*************************** UNABLE TO TEST **********************************

G D Name      Map   Released  #T WM  Short Description and Comments
- - --------  ----  --------  -- --  ------------------------------
- - comcon    E1M4   5-29-94  -- --  *corrupt*
- 1 deadly21  E2M1   3-28-94  4B 30  *crash*  Walls + LotsOWeapons
- 3 death     E1M1   3-30-94  3- --  *crash*  Square w/teleports
- 1 dmatch11  E1M1   3-30-94  3- --  *crash*  Big Dark Plrs Cyb; -xmD
- - ee2l1     E2M1   2-26-94  -- --  *corrupt*
- - hockey10  E1M1   4-10-94  -- --  Patches EXE to play hockey
- - horror    E1M1   5-28-94  -- --  *corrupt*
- - logo      E1M1   1-18-94  -- --  *corrupt*
- - ray       E1M1   6-07-94  -- --  *corrupt*  Made for looks
- - scream    E1M1   7-12-94  -- --  *crash*
- 6 spunk     E1M1   4-12-94  4- --  *crash*  Several big rooms
- - ss27bet2  E2M7   5-10-94  -- --  *crash*  MultiTheme, Unfinished
- - sdmatch   E2M4   7-28-94  __ __  * 0 Deathmatch Starts *
- - steps1    E1M1   3-30-94  -- --  * 0 Deathmatch Starts *
- - steps2    E1M1   3-30-94  -- --  * 0 Deathmatch Starts *
- - tek       E1M1   4-20-94  -- --  *corrupt*
- - toe       E1M1   5-18-94  -- --  *corrupt*
- - tower2    E3M1   5-22-94  -- --  * 0 Deathmatch Starts *
_ _ dcdm      E1M1   7-__-94  __ __  *corrupt*


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratings Legend:
 
    G = Game Play               D = Design         # = Recommended Minimum
How Fun And Addicting      How Interesting/Clever      Number Of Players
-------------------------  ----------------------  ------------------------
+ = Play til Dawn          + = A Piece Of Art      6 = WAY TOO LARGE
9 = Near Perfect           9 = Amazing             5 = Huntin' w/4 players
8 = Great--Play 1-2 hrs    8 = Fascinating         4 = Hopin' w/4 players
7 = Excellent--A favorite  7 = Interesting         3 = Hopin' w/3 players
6 = Very Good--30-60 min   6 = Above Average       2 = Hopin' w/2 players
5 = Average - Good         5 = Average             1 = A Frag every 10 sec
4 = OK but flawed          4 = Below Average           even with 2 players
3 = A diversion - 10 min.  3 = Poor                0 = WAY TOO SMALL
2 = Boring after 2 min.    2 = Ugly
1 = Painfully boring       1 = A Bad Joke          ? = Untested
0 = Utter shit             0 = Vomit
_ = Untested               _ = Untested               
 
T: Type      A=Action, H=Hunting, B=Both, -= Who knows
W: Weapons   0=Pistol/Fists, 1=Shotgun, 2=Chain, 3=Rocket/Plasma 4=BFG
M: Monsters  0=None, 1=A few, 2=Several, 3=Lots, 4=Big&Bad, 5=Barons/Cyber

Comments:
  +G  means new graphics  +S means new sounds,      +M  new music was added
  +Cx Cooperative Exit    +T text background story  +D2 Deathmatch v2.0 ok
  -X  has no exit         -x has an unmarked exit

==========================================================================

WHERE CAN THESE ARENAS BE FOUND?
--------------------------------
You should be able to ftp most of the wads from infant2.sphs.indiana.edu in
the directories contained within /pub/doom/wads or the /pub/doom/incoming
directory.  A big thanks to Barry Bloom and Jim Pitts, whom maintain
infant2 for all us die-hard doomers!

NOTE: Any filename in the list that ends in an "_" was found to be a
duplicate name and therefore we added the _ to the end of the filename.

We have only taken the time to review WAD's in which the authors have
expressly designed for deathmatch play or we were asked to rate it as
such.  No effort was made to review WAD's based on original id levels as
id has expressed they did NOT want people to modify their levels.  It
should be noted that Episode 1, Map 1 and Map 5 of the shareware DOOM
are also fine places for deathmatches.

If you don't know how to setup a deathmatch between two or more computers
running DOOM-- we suggest you read Section 8 of the "Offical" DOOM FAQ.
The FAQ is avaliable at infant2 or by sending email to Hank Leukart at:
[email protected] or [email protected] with a message
subject of "DOOM FAQ Request".

If you have written or know of a deathmatch arena that isn't on the list,
or just a map good for deathmatching, let us know, and well add it.


DISCLAIMER:
-----------
A low rating (on our scale) doesn't imply a bad or unplayable WAD-- just
that its not a fun deathmatch WAD.  Do to the limited time we can devote to
each WAD and the fact that most of our play-testers are partial to action
based WADs, this list may be slightly skewed in that direction.

All WAD's were tested on skill level 1, with 2 or 4 players in DOOM 1.2.

We're not infallible.  Some of the above ratings came from second hand
sources.  If you feel a WAD has been rated too harshly or highly, let us
know, and we'll re-evaluate it.


TOURNEY LOCATIONS/WINNERS:
--------------------------
We would love to see the world's DOOM tournament winners play each-other to
someday have a true world championship.  To help facilitate this, we are
listing the location of tourneys we know of and the last known winners.  If
you know of a tourney in your area that hosted 16 or more people, tell us!

       IRC: TCPDoom Tourney-- (Online)
               1st:  Phallus            fallonjb95%[email protected]
               2nd:  Jay Cotton         [email protected]
               3rd:  Erik "Echo" Olson  [email protected]

             NOTE: The IRC-TCPDoom Tourney is a competition between internet
                   users with computers connected directly to the internet
                   via ethernet.  For more information on participating in
                   the IRC-TCPDoom Tourney, contact [email protected].

  MID-WEST:  Virtual Gaming Center-- Milwaukee, WI  (414) 476-1514
             [email protected]
   (7/2/94)    1st:  Shawn Crain           ([email protected])
               2nd:  Aaron Criger          ([email protected])
               3rd:  "Chainsaw Jim" Urbas  ([email protected])

  SOUTHERN:  Austin Virtual Gaming-- Austin, TX     (512) 478-5544
             [email protected]
   (6/18/94)   1st:  DOOMGods              (John Romero / Shawn Green)
               2nd:  Vibrant Killers       (Sean Gallagher / Rob Haig)
               3rd:  Cutters               (Greg and Kelly)
               tie:  Boyz-n-the-Hell       (Kip and Ian)


WHAT MAKES A GOOD DEATHMATCH WAD?
---------------------------------
A tough question to answer because there are so many playing styles out
there.  We'll just give some basic tips that we've found the majority of
players to prefer:

   - Keep the map relatively small.  A map that is too large is both slow on
     many machines and very hard to find frag-meat.  If you can't get a frag
     at least every 3-5 minutes, you're map is too big.

   - Keep Deathmatch II rules in mind!
      - Suicides count against your frag count
      - Ammo, Health, and Armor respawn.
     Avoid using supercharges and mega-armor, unless they are strategically
     placed (it is risky to get it).  Avoid TONs of ammo around the arena.
     Avoid treasure rooms with tons of ammo, health and armor, this allows a
     player to hole up, and may make it too difficult to take him out.

   - Avoid placing too many or too powerful monsters.  Monsters can be
     turned off-- so you should include some, but a CyberDemon does NOT make
     a good deathmatch.  Too many monsters also slows the game down on
     slower machines.  Once nice trick we've seen is in a couple of WAD's is
     to put monsters in a cage.

   - Keep respawning monsters in mind!  Place only a few monsters at the
     lower difficultes.  With respawn, this can supply a continual supply of
     monsters though out the deathmatch.  If it's worth having a few
     monsters in the beginning, it may be worth having them throughout.

   - The BFG should only have one or two shots or not be placed in the game
     at all.  A good deathmatch can be ruined by an overloaded BFG.

   - Many of the better deathmatch WADs contain sniper zones, shaded areas
     (not too much darkness), and good weapons placed in spots easy to
     target anyone running after it.

   - Consider whether to include suicide traps or ooze.  These can become
     unfair as people kill themselves to restock on ammo.  However, if you
     are designing a Deathmatch 2 arena, this is not an issue, and traps can
     enhance gameplay  (Suicides decrease your frag count, and respawning
     ammo is availabile!).

   - Making cooperative exits are a mixed blessing.  Maps with coop-exits
     require the cooperation of at least 2 players to exit the level. This
     keeps a single player from exiting the level early.  The downside of
     this is that it generally puts one player at risk.  I (CJ) also find
     any degree of cooperation distastful when I'm in a chainsaw frenzy :).

   - Take care with triggers that work fine in single player, but in
     multiplayer, allow one player to become trapped by another's actions.
     An example of this are triggers that stop moving floors.  Any
     "once-only" type triggers are also suspect.

   - Avoid being sloppy.  Correct any HOM (believe it or not people still
     use version 1.2) or missing textures.  Make sure to include a marked
     exit. Beta test your map (let others do so) before releasing it.
     Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

   - It has been found that starting the players in areas that are large or
     full of many vertices will cause DOOM to lockup a network game at
     startup on anything less then a 486/66.  Be kind, make the players face
     the wall at start or put them in small starting rooms.  The people at
     id have stated that they are working on this, but understand that the
     problem is still evident with Doom version 1.5b.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
------------------
A lot of work has gone into this listing but since there are new WAD's
released daily, we'll try to release updated versions of this at least once
a month (probably more).  We welcome any comments, corrections, and
especially any ratings YOU want to submit.  Send them to _BOTH_ authors.
 
James Dicke   [email protected]   or   EXEC-PC: JAMES DICKE
   - DOOM Fanatic.  As an employee of the Virtual Gaming Center he finds
     time to talk to many doom-junkies that are not on the internet.  It
     has been his hobby to collect all WAD's.

     [SHAMELESS_PLUG_MODE_ON]:
     The Virtual Gaming Center (Milwaukee, WI) use several networks of fast
     computers with 27" screens and special controllers (steering wheels,
     flight sticks, etc) to play multi-player games IN-PERSON.  The VGC is
     also host to the Mid-West DOOM Tournaments.  You may contact them at
     [email protected]  or  (414) 476-1514.
 
Jim "Chainsaw" Urbas   [email protected]
   - DOOM Fanatic.  Current projects:  wc - Wad compiler; tool to help
     developers integrate new graphics into WAD files.  Deathmatch
     Compilations DM_xx_xx.ZIP; several 9 level episodes containing the
     best deathmatch maps, optimized for use in a single episode (namely:
     DMSMALL1 and DMSMALL2).  Also working on a new solo episode with
     Brant Katkansky, author of NUCLEAR.WAD.  Main area of interest is in
     adding additional graphics to doom missions.
 
Special thanks to these play-testers and contributors (in alphabetical order):
   Joe Bachman, Jonathan Dye, Matt Fell, Jeffry Harsh, Dan Kaufman, Jeff
   Kolowitch, Chris Leffel, Dan Middleton, James Mitchell, Bryan
   Peterson, Bryan Vukich, Terry Wilson, and Kenneth Yatel.

And of course a big thanks to all the folks at id software!

      Copyright 1994 by James Dicke and Jim Urbas.  All rights reserverd.
      *** May be distributed in whole through electronic media only. ***
[END]
    
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