Doom Devs Reach Out to Terminally Ill Fan Enjoying His Final Days with the Game

One of the minds behind Doom and a key developer steering the franchise today responded to a heartfelt post from a terminally ill fan, who shared how he’s spending his final weeks playing Doom Eternal on a PS5 from his hospital room.

On January 31, a Reddit user known as Wanderingrader123 shared a poignant story about his battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma since 2022. Unfortunately, his condition has worsened, and doctors estimate he may only have weeks left. The hospital he’s in offered to fulfill any last wishes, and he requested to play the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages, expressing his long-standing love for the series since 2016. The reboot and its sequel, Doom Eternal, have been a source of comfort during tough times. Due to financial constraints, he hadn’t been able to play Dark Ages, but the hospital provided him with a PS5 and a copy of the game, allowing him to dive into the action.

“I may not live to see the upcoming DLC, but I am nonetheless happy to finally play the game in my own hands,” Wanderingrader123 wrote. “To the developers at id Software, thank you for creating such a beautiful piece of art that not only brought the FPS genre back to its roots but also reinvented it in ways no other game has. I’m grateful for the incredible series you’ve crafted for fans like me.”

His touching post caught the attention of Hugo Martin, the game director at id, who has led the development of the recent Doom titles, including Dark Ages.

“Thank you so much for your support, and know that all of id salutes you, brother,” Martin replied on Reddit. “I remind the team all the time that people care about our games, and we need to put the same level of care into making them. It has been the honor of our professional lives to create these past three games for fans like you. To make the Slayer feel STRONG in DOOM, we infuse him with the qualities of a true old-school hero: strength, courage, and heart… we make him like you. RIP AND TEAR, my friend. You are the real Slayer.”

Wanderingrader123’s bittersweet message also reached John Romero, one of the original developers who helped create Doom and co-founded id Software in the 1990s.

“I am so moved and honored that you carried DOOM with you for a decade and chose to live in DOOM as your journey nears its end,” Romero posted. “You embody bravery and courage. You are the reason DOOM exists.”

“When we made DOOM, we aimed to create a world where you felt powerful even against overwhelming odds. Knowing it has been a companion to you—something familiar, steady, and alive—means more to me than I can express. You are not alone in that hospital room. You stand in a place where millions of us have fought. Every enemy, every level, every moment matters because you do. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. Thank you for bringing DOOM with you. Rip and tear—with love and respect.”

The broader Doom community also rallied around Wanderingrader123, offering words of encouragement and praising his bravery. The outpouring of support prompted him to respond with gratitude.

“I want to thank you all for the kind support you have given over the past 24 hours. I was hesitant to make such a post due to my condition. No words can capture the overwhelming kindness I’ve received since sharing my story, from both fans and developers. I’ve received a flood of DMs, which I’m incredibly grateful for, though I won’t be able to respond to most. Still, I appreciate it immensely. It’s a privilege to be part of such a welcoming community and to share this experience. I’m currently having a blast taking down demons with the flail.”

“For those curious, I’m in the Toronto General Hospital in Downtown Toronto, Ontario. However, for my privacy and my family’s, I won’t share more specific details. I appreciate your respect for my privacy and the tremendous support. I plan to use the time I have left to enjoy myself and spend time with my family and friends. Thank you again, everyone!”