Revolutionary DOOM Port: Running FPS Games in Pure SQL Database

The gaming community never ceases to amaze with its innovative approaches to running classic games in unexpected ways. But just when you thought you’d seen every possible DOOM port – from calculators to refrigerators – along comes a creation that pushes the boundaries of what should be technically possible.

Revolutionary DOOM Port: Running FPS Games in Pure SQL Database

In a remarkable feat of engineering creativity, developer Lukas Vogel has accomplished what many would consider impossible: creating a multiplayer DOOM-like experience using nothing but SQL database queries. This isn’t just another DOOM port – it’s a fundamental reimagining of how game engines can work.

Breaking Down the Technical Marvel

The original DOOM, written in fast, portable C, was already an impressive achievement. But DOOMQL takes an entirely different approach by leveraging Structured Query Language, a tool designed exclusively for database operations, to handle everything from 3D rendering to player movement.

What makes this particularly fascinating is how the developer managed to implement core gaming features using database constructs:

• Raycasting and 3D rendering are handled through SQL VIEWs
• Player state management exists as database tables
• Collision detection occurs through database queries
• Multiplayer synchronization leverages database transaction management

The entire client-side implementation requires just 150 lines of Python code – a testament to how much heavy lifting the database is doing. For perspective, the original DOOM source code contains over 30,000 lines of C code.

The Brilliant Simplicity of Database-Driven Gaming

What’s particularly clever about DOOMQL is how it turns traditional game development paradigms on their head. Want to modify game parameters? No need for complex configuration files or code changes – just run a simple SQL UPDATE statement. For instance:

UPDATE players SET hp = 100000 WHERE id = <your_id>;

This approach opens up fascinating possibilities for game modification and cheating. Since everything is just database queries, players with SQL knowledge can interact with the game state in ways that would be much more complicated in traditional game architectures.

The project, available on GitHub, demonstrates how thinking outside conventional boundaries can lead to fascinating technical innovations. While you won’t get the graphical fidelity of modern DOOM ports, DOOMQL manages to maintain a respectable 30 FPS while running entirely through database operations.

For developers and database administrators, DOOMQL serves as both an entertaining curiosity and a powerful demonstration of SQL’s capabilities beyond traditional data management. It shows how creative thinking can transform seemingly specialized tools into platforms for entirely new applications.

Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast, database developer, or just someone who appreciates clever technical achievements, DOOMQL represents something special in the world of game development – a reminder that innovation often comes from asking “what if?” and then having the determination to find out.

Check out the full details and try it yourself at DOOMQL’s official page. Who knows? You might just find yourself writing SELECT statements instead of using a gamepad for your next gaming session.