Running DOOM from a QR Code: A Tale of Extreme Compression
2025-04-18
Programmer Kuber Mehta has achieved the seemingly impossible: running the classic game DOOM directly from a QR code! Dubbed 'The Backdooms,' this project utilizes zlib and gzip compression, base64 encoding, and a cleverly designed self-extracting HTML wrapper to deliver a fully playable DOOM experience without any downloads. The development journey was fraught with challenges, requiring iterative adjustments to compression ratios and QR code versions. This incredible feat showcases the power of extreme compression and innovative application design, a testament to programmer ingenuity and perseverance.