The Washington Post has recognized Doom, id Software's groundbreaking 1993 first-person shooter, as one of the 25 most influential works of American culture. This inclusion places the seminal game alongside historical and artistic touchstones such as Thomas Paine's Common Sense, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, and Levi's jeans, as part of a list compiled to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Doom was selected for the 1986-1995 decade, standing out among other notable cultural products from that era, including Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club and Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing.
In its assessment, The Washington Post cited Doom's revolutionary impact on digital entertainment. videogame critic Gene Park highlighted the game's pioneering free distribution of its initial segment over the internet, which led to widespread adoption and traffic congestion on college networks. Park noted that the game was eventually installed on more computers than Microsoft Windows 95 at the time of its release. He described Doom as foundational in its creation of a first-person 3D world, its self-publishing model that bypassed traditional gatekeepers and retail channels, and its early contribution to user-generated content. Programmer John Carmack's decision to provide players with the tools to create their own content was a significant factor in this regard.
Park also addressed the game's controversial perception, acknowledging its unfortunate association with the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. However, he emphasized that the violence stemmed from the actions of individuals, not the game itself, and that Doom became a scapegoat for a nation grappling with a new and misunderstood form of entertainment. This led to governmental hearings on video games and music, a pattern that has recurred after subsequent mass shootings.
The Washington Post's analysis also delved into the game's cultural roots, with Park suggesting that Doom's spirit of sharing and community, alongside its innovative approach to navigating 3D environments, is influenced by designer John Romero's heritage. Romero, who is of Yaqui, Cherokee, and Mexican descent, reportedly drew inspiration from his upbringing and the perspectives of his family, who lived on land they believed to be shared.
Romero and fellow id Software co-founder Tom Hall expressed their excitement and pride on social media following the announcement. This recognition marks the second significant acknowledgment of Doom's cultural importance in recent months; its soundtrack was previously added to the U.S. Library of Congress's national playlist. The Washington Post clarified that the list is not intended as a "best of" compilation but rather as a series of historical markers representing defining moments and works of American culture, acknowledging its imperfect and incomplete nature.