I like how Doom fanart always changes designs one way or another

[whatup876]

Even when redesign is not even the main point in a drawing.

Sometimes, it's just an artist's personal touch/creative liberties but it also kinda reminds you of how classic Doom had a few inconsistencies like Doomguy's design in the cover and the ingame sprites having some differences.

Or even the sprites being reinterpretated into HD, since even HD "remaster" mods and fanmade 3D models feel like they also take some liberties.

 

But it kinda also comes from a general view on the series' identity: It's not that "story doesn't matter", it's that the setting and premise is empty and "lacking" enough to inspire creativity or allow people to fill in blanks, which explains other types of fanmade content and even discussion. (anyone having their own interpretations of "what is Doom" and "Doom is not just a painting, it's also a brush and canvas etc")

 

It's also interesting that no matter how creative or unfaithfull a design is, it can still be recognizable or fitting to the series, as a way to stretch Doom's likeness or something.

And then you have clear/literal redesigns/reinterpretations of Doomguy, demons, weapons etc which feel like extreme creativity and an impact from Doom 3's art direction, where people try to imagine a Doom game that reinvents the series' identity again.

Not only do fan redesigns get to look very different, you also wonder if they could also have different gameplay and ideas too.

 

2016/Eternal are kinda special in a case, because from the bigger focus on lore, to stuff like photo mode and model viewer modes, the overall details and features seem to be more important than ever. (from both an art direction, world building and game engine focus)

So some fanart will aim to get most of that detail and some people will end up not getting all of it. (or sometimes either use references a lot of maybe trace over some renders, but you can't blame them)

 

This also makes Eternal's "classic" designs interesting because they still have differences from the originals.

And then you have a situation where the Hellknights carry that D3-inspired brute design while their classic look is influenced in the Gladiator.

Or even armor customization in stuff like 2016's MP and Quake Champions, because of the things that can be changed/mixed around.

Even a series like Marathon had official art where designs like those of the main character look different, despite being a series that always had lore.

Even Castlevania has like a lot of variations of Simon Belmont, that even Smash's design kinda has some unique features.

 

Another thing to look at is concept art and unused designs too.

As if something would still fit the style or setting, for a series that already changed looks.