Guide: GZDoom

GZDoom is the open source game engine for ID Software's older games like DOOM, DOOM2, HEXEN and HERETIC or it's own unique games.

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GZDoom Links:

ZDoom Web Page

GZDoom Github

ZDoom Forums

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Where to put the games?

DOOM games should be put under the retrodeck/roms/doom/ directory.

What file formats does GZDoom support?

File Format	Description
.wad	Doom level resource file
.iwad	Internal WAD file
.pwad	Patch WAD file
.kpf	KEX Engine zip replacement
.pk3	Enhanced engine zip container
.pk4	id Tech 4 zip container
.pk7	7-Zip compressed container
.pke	Eternity Engine mod zip
.lmp	Doom data unit
.deh	DeHackEd file
.bex	Enhanced DeHackEd file
.mus	Doom music file
.doom	RetroDECK DOOM parser file (Only in RetroDECK)

Does GZDOOM require BIOS or Firmware?

No, but will need copies of DOOM.

Where to buy official DOOM?

To get started, you will need to purchase DOOM and DOOM II.

While DOOM 3 and DOOM 64 64 are not necessary, sometimes it's more cost-effective to buy the entire bundle.

GOG Links:

• DOOM + DOOM II - GOG
• DOOM 64 - GOG
• DOOM 3 - GOG

Steam Links:

• DOOM Classic Bundle - Steam
• DOOM + DOOM II - Steam
• DOOM 64 - Steam
• DOOM 3 - Steam

Freedoom

The Freedoom project aims to provide all the content needed to form a complete, entirely free/libre game for the Doom engine.

It is designed to be compatible with most custom levels, music, graphics, and other modifications ("mods") made for the original Doom games by Doom fans and artists over the decades.

FreeDOOM

Folder structure

Type	Folder	Comment
ROMs Folder	retrodeck/roms/doom/
Saves Folder	retrodeck/saves/wiiu/doom/
Config Folder	~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck/config/gzdoom/	gzdoom.ini
Data Folder	~/.var/app/org.retrodeck.retrodeck/data/gzdoom

What are iwads gzdoom is looking for?

The IWADS Gzdoom is looking for to be able to run are the following:

File	What is it?	Comments
DOOM.WAD	Doom (1993)
DOOM1.WAD	Doom (1993) - Shareware Version
DOOM2.WAD	Doom 2
DOOM2F.WAD	Doom 2 - French Version
DOOM64.WAD	Doom 64
TNT.WAD	Final Doom - TNT: Evilution
PLUTONIA.WAD	Final Doom - The Plutonia Experiment
HERETIC1.WAD	Heretic - Shareware Version
HERETIC.WAD	Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders
HEXEN.WAD	Hexen
HEXDD.WAD	Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel	Needs to be loaded with HEXEN.WAD to be played
STRIFE0.WAD	Strife: Quest for the Sigil - Demo Version
STRIFE1.WAD	Strife: Quest for the Sigil - Commercial Version
VOICES.WAD	Extra Voices for Strife	Needs to be loaded with STRIFE1.WAD to be used
CHEX.WAD	Chex Quest
CHEX3.WAD	Chex Quest 3
HACX.WAD	Hacx
freedoom1.wad	Freedoom: Phase 1
freedoom2.wad	Freedoom: Phase 2
freedm.wad	FreeDM
doom_complete.pk3	WadSmoosh combined file

What is doom_complete.pk3?

doom_complete.pk3 is a file made by WadSmoosh. It can combine all of the "DOOM + DOOM 2 + Official addons" into one file where you can select from all the campaigns without needing to load each separate wad.

Where can I find more WADs?

Non-official WADs (mods) are available across the internet on old forums, GitHub, and various websites.

Doomworld

Doomworld is the oldest DOOM community on the web and hosts the annual Cacowards. It is the lifeblood of the DOOM community, containing generations of knowledge and a vast collection of WADs.

Doomworld Files

Doomworld ID Games(Legacy)

Doomwiki

List of notable WADs

ModDB

ModDB

Where to put the games

GZDoom games should be put under the retrodeck/roms/doom/ directory.

Supported file types

File type	What is it?	Comments
.wad	Where's All the Data?
.iwad	internal wad
.pwad	patch wad	Have a priority over .wad
.pk3	.zip file archive
.ipk3	internal pk3
.pk4	.zip file archive
.pk7	.7zip file archive
.pke	.zip file archive	Made for the the Eternity Engine
.epk	.zip file archive	Made for the EDGE engine
.deh	DeHackEd file	Edits hardcoded parts of the DOOM engine.
.bex	Enhanced DeHackEd	Has more features then .deh and used by various ports.
.lev	A file that renames levels of a .pwad
.mus	Music file	Used by DOOM, Heretic, Hexen and Strife

Does GZDoom require BIOS or Firmware?

No

Folder structure

Type	Folder	Comment
ROMs Folder	retrodeck/roms/doom/
Saves Folder	retrodeck/saves/doom/gzdoom/
Config Folder	~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck/config/gzdoom/	gzdoom.ini
Data Folder	~/.var/app/org.retrodeck.retrodeck/data/gzdoom/	audio folder

GZDoom Controls

Known Issues

• Multiple controllers for local multiplayer don't work well due to bugs between GZDoom and Steam Input.
• Set the primary controller as player one, especially if using an external controller with the Steam Deck. This prevents input loops.
• Avoid pressing "Save configur## Where to put the games?

WiiU games should be put under the retrodeck/roms/wiiu/ directory. ation" in the GZDoom options menu if you have mods that add extra controls, as it will wipe those extra controls. Inputs will still be saved without pressing save.

Standard Controls

The controls are semi-based on the inputs from Timesplitters: Future Perfect for the PlayStation 2 and are described as an Xbox Layout style controller.

Action	Button	Comment
Primary Fire	R2
Secondary Fire	R1
Action / Open	A
Jump	B
Reload	Y
Crouch	X
Quick Turn	R3
Run Toggle	L3
Main Menu	Start
Open Map	Select
Use Item	Dpad - Down
Select Item	Dpad - Up
Swap Next Weapon	Dpad - Right
Swap Previous Weapon	Dpad - Left
Movement: Forward / Back + Strafe	Left Joystick
Movement: Look Up / Down + Turn	Right Joystick

Mod Controls - Extras

Optional extra binds for certain Project Brutality or Brutal Doom based mods.

Action	Button	Comment
Quick Melee / Special Action	L1
Throw Grenade / Second Special Action	L2	Replaces Zoom (most DOOM mods use Secondary Fire for this anyhow)
Dash	R3	Replaces Quick Turn

The Mod Needs More Inputs

Many mods have more inputs than what is bindable on a controller. L1, L2, Dpad - Up, Dpad - Down are mostly free for those types of actions.

• Bind L1 and L2 to more action-oriented things you need to use more often.
• Use Dpad - Up, Dpad - Down for things you use less often, like Extra Menus.
• If it is a new movement type that can replace quick turn, bind it on R3 and replace Quick Turn or either of the L1 or L2.

You are also free to change any of the default binds shipped by RetroDECK, and if you mess something up, you can always reset GZDoom via the Configurator.

I have bought the games how do I get my files?

Read the:

How to: Extract Doom iWads

I want to play doom with mods

Read the:

RetroDECK .doom file for modding