We ran Doom on a 40 year old printer controller (Agfa Compugraphic 9000PS) [video]
A YouTube video showcases the remarkable feat of running Doom on a 40-year-old Agfa Compugraphic 9000PS printer controller, reigniting the classic internet meme. This deep dive into vintage hardware hacking appeals to HN's love for retro tech and impressive engineering challenges. It's a testament to how far dedicated enthusiasts will go to answer the perennial question: 'But can it run Doom?'
The Lowdown
The video presents an extraordinary technical achievement: successfully porting and running the iconic 1993 first-person shooter Doom onto an Agfa Compugraphic 9000PS, a printer controller unit from the 1980s. This project highlights the dedication and reverse-engineering prowess required to breathe new life into severely limited and outdated hardware.
- Hardware: The Agfa Compugraphic 9000PS is a 40-year-old printer controller, a piece of industrial equipment from an era long past.
- The Challenge: Getting a complex game like Doom to run on such an antiquated system involved significant effort in understanding its architecture, bypassing limitations, and adapting the game's code.
- Execution: The video demonstrates the game running on the system's display, albeit with a framerate reminiscent of early 386 PCs, a detail noted by nostalgic viewers.
- Context: This project is a continuation of the 'It runs Doom' meme, where hackers port the game to increasingly improbable devices, showcasing creativity and technical skill.
This endeavor is a fascinating blend of historical computing, reverse engineering, and a playful nod to a long-standing meme, captivating an audience that appreciates the ingenuity behind such an undertaking.
The Gossip
The 'Doom'ing Drive
The discussion largely centers on the internet meme of getting Doom to run on unlikely hardware, with commenters expressing delight and referencing other bizarre instances like a pregnancy test. Many praise the project as 'freaking awesome' and acknowledge its place in the pantheon of 'Doom ports,' often comparing its performance to original 386 systems.
Vintage Tech Veneration
Commenters show significant appreciation for the deep dive into the Agfa system, recognizing the historical significance of brands like Agfa and the era of diverse printer manufacturers. There's a shared sense of nostalgia for old computing tech and admiration for the extensive reverse engineering required to get anything beyond basic functionality working on such obscure, decades-old hardware.