If Doom were to be made family-friendly, it would require significant changes to its content, themes, and gameplay mechanics. Doom, as it originally stands, is a first-person shooter video game known for its intense violence, dark atmosphere, and mature themes, which are not suitable for young audiences or considered family-friendly.
To make Doom family-friendly, developers would need to:
Reduce Violence and Gore: The game's violent and gory aspects, including blood, dismemberment, and graphic combat, would need to be toned down or removed entirely.
Change Atmosphere and Themes: The dark and horror-inspired atmosphere would have to be altered to be more light-hearted and suitable for all ages.
Modify Gameplay Mechanics: The intense and fast-paced shooting gameplay would likely need to be reimagined to make it less threatening or aggressive.
Age-Appropriate Content: All content, including dialogue, storylines, and visuals, should be made appropriate for children and young teenagers.
Include Positive Messages: To be family-friendly, the game could incorporate positive messages, teamwork, and moral lessons that align with family values.
Consider Parental Controls: Developers may implement parental controls or age restrictions to ensure that the game is only accessible to appropriate age groups.
However, it's important to note that making Doom family-friendly would change its fundamental identity, and it might not resonate well with its original fanbase or players who enjoy its mature content and challenging gameplay. Game developers would face the challenge of finding a balance between maintaining the essence of Doom and making it suitable for family audiences.
In some cases, game studios may choose to create spin-offs or entirely new games within the Doom universe that are designed specifically for a younger audience while preserving the core essence of the original Doom games for mature players.