Idea: NMWS Challenge Mode

[Captain POLAND]

NMWS stands for No Manual Weapon Switching.

 

The rules are that you can't switch weapons manually (obviously). You have to keep using the weapon you currently have until the game automatically switches it for you (either when you run out of ammo for it or when you pick up a new one). This would change some strategies and make many levels significantly harder, I think.

 

 

[TheDanMarine]

that's an interesting design challenge, considering a big part of doom's appeal is how much freedom it gives you to approach a situation. how would I go about designing a level for that which doesn't get boring? 

 

I guess one thing I could do is force them into situations most people don't consider, like having to use the rocket launcher or plasma gun as a long range sniper. or putting them into a situation where the rocket launcher is usable, but only just barely. 

 

I'd have to be very wary of forcing them into something like shotgunning a baron to death, anything that tedious would be right out the window unless I had some other gimmick to keep their attention occupied while they're doing it like a poison floor or traps spitting fire... this's fun to think about, but I think I'd need more time and some help maybe to make something purpose-designed for this that's not terrible.

 

come to think of it, how would you deal with running out of ammo in maps that aren't designed for it? 

[DoomPlayer00]

Honestly sounds like a really interesting concept for a challenge and I hope this thread gains traction.

I played through Doom 1's first episode while following the rules and recorded my playthrough.

I also added an extra rule for myself where I needed to get all weapon pickups placed by the map creator (i.e chainsaw, shotgun on the ground etc.).

Now, seeing as first episode has the least amount of weapons available and is overall super easy, the challenge doesn't ramp up the difficulty too much. Some strategizing and planning was required in later levels such as when to pick up the rocket launcher or what weapon to have equipped when taking on a larger enemy horde in a fight.

 

How this challenge affects the arsenal:

When automatically switching weapons, Doom will cycle through them from most preferable to least preferable depending on if there's ammo available for the weapon.

The order goes like this:

Plasma Rifle (Most preferable), Super Shotgun, Chaingun, Shotgun, Pistol, Chainsaw, Rocket Launcher, BFG, Fists (Least preferable).

This means that if you have the chainsaw, RL & BFG in your inventory, you'll never get a chance to use your rockets or BFG. You might also get locked out of using the BFG if you pick up the plasma rifle after it.

Chainsaw is overall a highly cursed weapon to be avoided when you can. If you already have all other weapons in your inventory except for chainsaw, picking it up will lock you to using it solely if there's still enemies left in the map.

Berserk also changes the auto-switch mechanic a little. Once you acquire the Berserk Pack in a map, you'll no longer auto switch from fist to a depleted weapon after picking up ammo for them. This gives Berserk an interesting twist as an item as it'll still grant the player full health but will also force an auto-switch.

 

 

Game mechanic manipulation:

Purposely wasting all of certain ammo type so you can use another weapon becomes a genuine strategy in this challenge. Need to use the BFG for a large battle? Have fun spending all your shells, bullets & rockets first!

I could also see some variation brought to this challenge if "Drop Weapon" function in GZDoom is allowed. This would give the player some freedom of choice regarding what weapon they'll want to use but it might make regular maps maybe a bit too easy. It could bring in a much needed balance if you're crazy enough to try beating a slaughter map with this challenge though.

 

 

Episode 1 with NMWS:

 

[baja blast rd.]

Fun. Tried sl04 (did zero preparation or routing for this). 

 

 

[Egg Boy]

Really cool idea, I’m imagining this could be a really cool category.

 

edit: apologies for the repetitive adjectives.

Edited April 28, 2023 by Egg Boy

[baja blast rd.]

Same as above.

 

 

Make sure to pick up the weapons in the start room in the right order ;)

[Scypek2]

That sounds like fun! On levels with particularly inconvenient weapon setups, it could just play out like a novel variation of a pacifist run.