'Doom' News: Nintendo Switch Version Lauded For Consistency During Demo
Developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, "Doom" had a successful run since the reboot was released early last year. It has won awards for being the best action game of 2016. Given that it was originally made for Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4, most of the gaming community were bewildered when Nintendo announced that "Doom" is coming to their Switch. However, a short time with a demo version has revealed that the gaming giant might just pull it off.
"The game and rendering technology underlying Doom is extremely scalable," a Bethesda spokesperson told Rolling Stone. "In bringing Doom to Switch, we targeted outstanding visuals at a solid 30 fps and by maintaining a consistent 30 fps, the experience remains consistently fluid and smooth. We've been thrilled with the feedback that Doom is among the very best looking and performing games on Switch."
Considering that "Doom" was lauded not for its 60 frames per second look and feel, but because of its consistency, Bethesda's efforts of rendering the game title to a hybrid portable console like the Nintendo Switch seems to have paid off.
Although Engadget was only given the chance to experience "Doom" on the Switch in handheld and tabletop mode, the experience was still remarkably reminiscent of what gamers usually see on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. At worst, "Doom" had a noticeably long load time, and that arcade mode dipped in frame rate in the later levels. Bethesda explained that not all parts of the game have been optimized for the Switch yet.
Bethesda has a few months left to optimize "Doom" for the Nintendo Switch. Slotted for a holiday 2017 release, the first person shooter video game is expected to have some surprises in store for the fans. Many are hoping that the developers will deliver the same consistency and action regardless of what mode their Switch is on.