Gloom (video game)

Black Magic Software

Industry	Video game development
Founded	1994
Founder	Mark Sibly, Kurt Butler, Hans Butler, Laki Schuster, Kev Stannard
Headquarters	New Zealand
Products	Gloom, Gloom Deluxe, Gloom 3 (Zombie Massacre)

Gloom is a 1995 computer game developed for the Amiga platform and recognized as the first commercially available Amiga clone of the pioneering first-person shooter Doom.

Gameplay

The game Gloom provides two graphic modes: 'Messy' and 'Meaty'. The 'Messy' setting triggers more intense enemy gib explosions that vanish quickly, whereas 'Meaty' keeps the gibs visible on the floor until the level ends. The release of Gloom Deluxe added functionality to play directly on a workbench screen, a feature missing in the original version. Additionally, the title supports two-player gameplay through either network connection or split-screen mode.

History

Black Magic Software developed Gloom, with key contributors including Mark Sibly as programmer, Kurt and Hans Butler handling graphics, Laki Schuster responsible for artwork, and Kev Stannard composing the music. The Gloom Deluxe edition improved upon the graphics resolution significantly.

After Gloom, Alpha Software launched Gloom 3, which is also known under the title Zombie Massacre. Although announcements were made for Gloom 2 alongside the Deluxe edition, it was ultimately never released.

In 2011, an engine called XGloom was created through reverse engineering. Later, in January 2017, both the assembly and BlitzBasic 2 source code for Gloom were made publicly available on GitHub under an unlicense, accompanied by game assets preserved for historical purposes. A modern source port named ZGloom was developed in 2020, compatible with AmigaOS 4, allowing players to use custom levels and full conversions, including content from Gloom 3 and Zombie Massacre.

Development

The map editor and associated tools for Gloom were programmed in Blitz BASIC by Mark Sibly, one of the game's creators. Development commenced in May 1994 and spanned approximately one year. In 1995, The One magazine featured Gloom as its cover story, distributing a demo version on its cover disk. The magazine’s logo even appears within these demo levels. Interviews with principal developers such as Mark Sibly, Hans and Kurt Butler (graphics), and Kev Stannard were included. Mark revealed that the title originated as a humorous placeholder during development; other considered names included Gorefest '95 and Bloodbath before settling on Gloom.

The development team initially came together while working on a separate project funded by an affluent investor who eventually withdrew support despite completion of that game. Although clearly inspired by Doom, Gloom set itself apart by employing unique graphic styles to evoke different atmospheres. Kurt Butler emphasized that unlike other clones where enemy sprites tended to blend into backgrounds, Gloom's foes were designed using contrasting colors to ensure clear visibility from a distance.

A notable characteristic is that enemies disintegrate into gibs instead of leaving behind corpses. To highlight this feature, The One organized a contest matching in-game gib fragments to specific body parts; the winner’s face was incorporated into the game. Designed to deliver a faster-paced, more arcade-like experience than typical first-person shooters of its time, Gloom also includes playable arcade cabinets hidden within certain levels.

At launch in 1995, the retail price was £29.99.

Reception

Ranked as the 18th greatest game ever by Amiga Power, Gloom earned high praise for its action-oriented gameplay and intense combat sequences. The One awarded it a 90% rating, commending the "immensely satisfying" enemy gibbing effect while noting that weapon variety was limited since players could only carry one weapon at once despite their potency.

Similarly, CU Amiga gave it a 90% score, highlighting its rock soundtrack, impressive visuals, and clear distinction from Doom. They described the gameplay as "more frantic" with "excellent" combat mechanics.

In his book The 100 Greatest Amiga Games, Tom Crossland characterized the original release’s graphics as somewhat blocky but acknowledged improvements introduced by Gloom Deluxe. He found the exaggerated gore entertaining but suggested that it struggled to achieve broad popularity in the era following Doom.

The website Amitopia included Gloom Deluxe among the top five Amiga games ever made, underscoring its position as the leading 3D FPS exclusive to the Amiga system. It defended the title against criticisms labeling it merely a clone of Doom. Likewise, Nostalgia Nerd recognized that while heavily inspired by Doom, Gloom offers a comparable experience despite fewer resources and less commercial support, preserving its unique charm and appeal.

See also

• Breathless (video game)
• Behind the Iron Gate
• Cytadela (video game)
• Fears (video game)
• Alien Breed 3D
• Testament (video game)

External links

• – Gloom source code released in May 2017
• Gloom CD-32 Disk Art available on Archive.org