Dear Reader:

You are viewing a story from GN Version 5.0. Time may not have been kind to formatting, integrity of links, images, information, etc.

Panic Button explains why DOOM Eternal's Switch port took so long, and the challenge in shifting to work-from-home

Challenges on numerous fronts
by rawmeatcowboy
05 December 2020
GN Version 5.0

The wait for DOOM Eternal on Switch is almost over. We'll be able to download the title on Dec. 8th, 2020, finally giving us a chance to see how Panic Button did with their latest port. In an interview with NintendoEverything, senior producer Cody Nicewarner explained why this release has been in the works for so long.

“When we took on the project we knew that Doom Eternal was going to be a large undertaking that would require every ounce of experience we had. We’ve obviously had previous experience working with the idTech engine to bring games like Doom (2016), Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, and Wolfenstein: Youngblood to Nintendo Switch. But Doom Eternal is on another level entirely. Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin have both talked about Doom Eternal being one of the most ambitious projects in id Software’s history, and we couldn’t agree more. Faithfully recreating that ambition for Nintendo Switch players took a little extra time. We’re confident it will be worth the wait!”

While the game itself provided numerous challenges, the work environment did the same. The pandemic caused a shift in work flow as employees started to work from home. Lead engineer Travis Archer talks a bit about that change.

“Other than the sheer size and ambition of the game we did not encounter any unique factors that impacted development. However, like many other companies, we face the challenges of a work-from-home environment. Our company reacted early and has kept the health and safety of our employees as a top concern. With that transition, we were forced to deal with an unfamiliar work environment, but with some collaboration and support from id Software and Bethesda, we were able to quickly adapt and accomplish the goal of bringing Doom Eternal to Nintendo Switch. We are very excited about it and look forward to launch!”

[Link]