RBDOOM-3-BFG

About

Doom 3 is a 2004 first-person shooter survival-horror game by id Software in which a demonic invasion overwhelms a Mars research facility; a remastered BFG Edition, released in 2012, added improved lighting, a checkpoint save system, and the Resurrection of Evil and Lost Mission expansions. RBDOOM-3-BFG is an extensive, actively developed modernization of id Software's DOOM-3-BFG source code, started in 2012, rebuilding the renderer with physically based materials, baked global illumination via irradiance volumes and environment probes, DX12/Vulkan support, soft shadow mapping, and temporal antialiasing, plus TrenchBroom level-editor support, aiming to bring the engine's visuals closer to modern titles while keeping the original DOOM 3 gameplay. It builds on Windows, Linux, and macOS via CMake.

How it differs from the original

Compared to the original DOOM 3 BFG Edition, this port adds substantial rendering technology absent from the 2004/2012 releases — physically based materials, baked indirect lighting, DX12/Vulkan rendering, soft shadows, temporal antialiasing, and several retro filter modes — while still requiring the purchased original game's data files to run, and it doesn't support old Doom 3 modifications that ship compiled binary (.dll) code.

Getting started

You'll need a legitimately purchased copy of DOOM 3: BFG Edition (from Steam or GOG) for its data files, which get placed alongside the compiled engine or a downloaded release build. The project can be built from source with CMake on Windows, Linux, or macOS, or installed from a pre-built release on the project's ModDB page.

History

The project was started by its author in 2012 as a modernization of id Software's DOOM-3-BFG source release, and has since grown through contributions from more than 40 people worldwide.

Known issues & limitations

• audio: Audio support may require additional dependencies on Linux (ALSA and/or PulseAudio).
• compatibility: Does not support old Doom 3 modifications that include binary sourcecode modifications (.dll).
• Steam integration features such as achievements, matchmaking, and the overlay are not included.

What you need to run it

Features

• The game adds physically based rendering and baked global illumination.
• The renderer offers soft shadows, HDR lighting, SMAA, and temporal antialiasing.
• Retro rendering modes include Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC 6128, Sega Genesis, and Sony PSX styles.
• Cinematic sequences can be skipped.
• Multiplayer connections to friends are supported with +connect, but require manual port forwarding.
• The project includes classic flashlight support and updated blood effects with screen-space reflections.
• Linux builds include gamepad support.

How to install

1. Download the newest release from the ModDB page.
2. The same installation steps should work with a GOG installation.

Media

FAQ

What is RBDOOM-3-BFG?

RBDOOM-3-BFG is an open-source port of Doom 3. An existing game or its source code brought to another platform.

Do I need the original game files to run RBDOOM-3-BFG?

Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy. Requires Doom 3 BFG Edition game data from Steam or GOG.

How is RBDOOM-3-BFG licensed?

project: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3 (source code, excluding parts listed in LICENSE_EXCEPTIONS.md). The repository itself is the authoritative source.

Why bother with DOOM-3-BFG in 2025?

It is fun, period. Doom 3 is from 2004 but it is still an impressive and entertaining game.