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Exciting news for DOOM fans! The iconic game has been successfully ported to quantum computers by Barcelona ICFO-based Quantum Information PhD student Luke Mortimer, also known as Lumorti. While there are currently no quantum computers capable of running the code, Quandoom can be enjoyed on a classical computer using a lightweight QASM simulator.
In the ReadMe file for Quandoom 1.0.0, Lumorti humorously mentions that “all useful computational devices ever created are capable of running DOOM,” suggesting that this port may be the first practical use for quantum computers.
Quandoom’s quantum computer minimum specs are quite demanding, requiring 72,376 qubits and 80 million gates. However, with the use of a QASM simulator on a laptop PC, players can still experience the game at 10-20 FPS. An X-ray mode has been introduced, reminiscent of Atari Battlezone (1980).
To play Quandoom on your PC, simply download the files from GitHub and drag the Quandoom.qasm file onto the simulator (simulator.exe). The game is still a work in progress, with only the first level available and some features of the original DOOM still needing adjustments for Quandoom.
Lumorti provides tips for coding enthusiasts interested in compiling the code themselves, and hints that the source code may be made available if there is enough interest. Stay tuned for more updates on this innovative project!