After Years of “Will it Play DOOM,” DOOM Now Asks, “Are You Human?”

CAPTCHAs just got a lot more interesting, though it’s unlikely this latest development will hit any major sites anytime soon. Guillermo Rauch, the CEO of Vercel, has whipped up a variation where you get to play DOOM directly in your browser as part of the verification process. To succeed, you need to take down three foes in the notorious Nightmare mode. Your avatar starts with zero armor but full health, and although you’ve only got 50 rounds, you’ll have to maneuver skillfully to complete the challenge.

Known as the DOOM CAPTCHA, this quirky invention was highlighted by Hackaday. It’s essentially a WebAssembly app that plays into the long-running gag of DOOM’s adaptability. Now, rather than simply asking if something can run DOOM, it’s DOOM asking, “are you a human?”

Consider these two scenarios:

First, imagine you’re trying to log into a frequently visited website, only to face a security roadblock. You’re asked to click on a jumble of images to identify fire hydrants, crosswalks, and bicycles. Alternatively, you’re tasked with deciphering distorted text marred by lines. Each failure sends you back to square one, leaving you unsure where you went wrong, until finally, the system relents, allowing you access.

Alternatively, picture a break in your routine where you get to dive into a brief round of DOOM. The thrill kicks in as fiery projectiles zoom toward you, and you’re figuring out the nuances of navigation using only arrow keys—because that’s all this CAPTCHA supports. The tense groans of adversaries fill your speakers until you deliver that final, satisfying shot to prove you’re human.

Which scenario seems more appealing? Personally, the familiar squiggly lines might be preferable, but an unexpected DOOM interlude is undeniably amusing and tinged with nostalgia. The DOOM CAPTCHA, with its definitive conclusion, pleasantly sidesteps the uncertainty of whether you missed a tiny fragment of bicycle in a sea of boxes.

Naturally, most CAPTCHAs are designed with a purpose. They ensure the user is human and, interestingly, help train AI systems. The DOOM CAPTCHA is just a playful twist, though anyone daring enough could certainly integrate it into a website if they wished.