In a strange turn of events, the world of Doom enthusiasts has found a new and unconventional way to pay homage to the iconic game. Instead of merely playing Doom on traditional gaming consoles or PCs, some have taken it upon themselves to run the game on unlikely devices, such as a toothbrush. Yes, you read that correctly – a toothbrush.
The latest addition to this peculiar trend is a WiFi-enabled ‘smart toothbrush’, which has been hacked by Aaron Christophel to run a version of Doom. This toothbrush, designed for children, features a little LCD screen that typically displays brushing performance and weather reports. However, with some custom firmware and clever coding, Christophel was able to load Doom onto this tiny device.
The Technical Wizardry Behind It
Christophel revealed that the toothbrush features an ESP32-C3 chip with 4MB Flash, just enough to accommodate the necessary files for running Doom. By utilizing a simplified asset pack called Miniwad, Christophel managed to shrink the game down to fit the limited space available on the toothbrush. As a result, the graphics may appear distorted, but the fact that Doom is running on a toothbrush is an impressive technical feat in itself.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of playing Doom on a toothbrush, be prepared for a significant amount of effort. Christophel has shared the necessary code to install custom firmware on the device, along with a video demonstration of the process. While it may seem like a whimsical endeavor, the satisfaction of seeing Doom running on such an inconspicuous object is a reward in itself.
As strange as it may sound, running Doom on a toothbrush is not the only oddity in the realm of Doom-related hacks. Christophel has also managed to make the game playable on a 3D-printed Christmas tree decoration, further showcasing the versatility of the Doom codebase. Additionally, in a surprising announcement, Husqvarna, a company known for its robomowers, revealed plans to integrate Doom into some of their lawnmower models.
In a world where technological advancements are constantly pushing boundaries, the ability to run Doom on unexpected devices serves as a testament to human creativity and ingenuity. While playing Doom on a toothbrush may be impractical for everyday gaming, it highlights the playful and experimental nature of the gaming community. As technology continues to evolve, who knows what other bizarre and fascinating innovations enthusiasts will come up with next. Doom may have found a new home in unlikely places, but its spirit of relentless exploration and curiosity remains intact.
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