Does it matter if I use ZDoom or GZDoom (UDMF) format?

[Lizardcommando]

It seems like creating deep water with the ZDoom Doom (Doom 2 Format) is now obsolete so now I've got to make a choice in switching to a new format. What's the difference between ZDoom (UDMF) and GZDoom (UDMF) formats and does it matter which format I use? I'm mostly going to use the format for deep water effects and silent teleports.

[redEYE]

19 hours ago, Lizardcommando said:

What's the difference between ZDoom (UDMF) and GZDoom (UDMF) formats and does it matter which format I use?

 

To the question itself, if ZDoom_DoomUDMF.cfg and GZDoom_DoomUDMF.cfg from UDB configs are compared the latter one adds two extra files: GZDoom_common.cfg and GZDoom_things.cfg.

 

GZDoom_common.cfg makes UDB/GZDoom: Doom (UDMF) format to require gzdoom.pk3 as a resource file.

 

GZDoom_things.cfg adds GZDoom native light items 9800-9890 to the things menu. And also Vavoom lights 1502-1503 + FS mapsspot 5004.

 

Those items are not defined in ZDoom but show up only as exclamation marks. If you make a Hexen/UDMF format map and add an item 9801 "Flicker Light" it works in GZDoom straight away without hassling with decorate, zscript or gldefs additions.

 

Being obsolete is a strong expression. Obsolete stuff usually still works. Where's the Doom Eternal mapping scene? It's the latest and the most advanced Doom game so it surely it should have made the original Doom useless and obsolete! :P

[Kappes Buur]

Does it matter if I use ZDoom or GZDoom (UDMF) format?

 

Of course it matters

GZDoom has been fixed and updated since ZDoom many many times, not only the renderer but also under the hood.

 

While pwads made for ZDoom will play in GZDoom, the same cannot be said the other way round. It all depends on the tools and features a map author uses to constructs the pwad. For example, The Age of Hell will never be able to be run in ZDoom.

 

One thing I noticed on my computer with the latest series of GZDoom (4.10, 4.11, 4.12) is the way maps are displayed in a sort of high contrast way, bright sectors are quite bright and darker sectors are quite dark, almost black, with no real middle ground. To get around that I use DarkdoomZ to tweak the display settings.

 

All in all though, there is no good reason to prefer ZDoom over GZDoom.

Edited May 4, 2024 by Kappes Buur

[SilverMiner]

1 hour ago, Lizardcommando said:

It seems like creating deep water with the ZDoom Doom (Doom 2 Format) is now obsolete

it's possible and it works