The Man Turns Lego Doom into Volumetric Display Game

In 2022, I introduced you to James Brown, the Weta Workshop graphics engineer whose hobby is building amazing displays. Now, he’s built a crystal ball filled with shimmering, spinning volumetric light — and of course he’s playing Doom on it.

But not just any Doom. Voxel Doom, where every dot of the game’s graphics lives in 3D space, just like the dots of the volumetric display he’s created.

As he explains on YouTube, the physical illusion is fairly simple: “It’s like a hologram fan, but instead of spinning a 1D strip to make a 2D image, it spins a 2D panel to make a 3D image.” On his Mastodon, he breaks it down a bit more with visual aids:

Brown’s been working on this for over a year now: if I’m not mistaken, he introduced the project in August 2023 by channeling his inner Doc Brown, saying “If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 300rpm you’re going to see some serious shit.” But he’s since discovered it needs to spin a good bit faster than that for a smooth image, particularly when he’s trying to film it. So keep your fingers away.

You can follow his progress on his Mastodon, where he’s not just playing Doom — you can find volumetric lunar landers and skulls and dino heads, for example. He just published this to his YouTube too:

GIF by Sean Hollister / The Verge; Video by James Brown

And yes, they can play Doom.

Building an Innovative Crystal Ball

In 2022, James Brown, a graphics engineer at Weta Workshop, captured our attention with his incredible display creations. Recently, he unveiled a crystal ball that emits a mesmerizing, spinning volumetric light while running Doom.

Exploring Voxel Doom

Unlike traditional Doom gameplay, Brown’s crystal ball showcases Voxel Doom, where each graphic element exists in a 3D environment, aligning with the volumetric display’s concept.

Behind the Innovation

Brown’s explanation on YouTube simplifies the physical illusion: “It’s like a hologram fan, but instead of spinning a 1D strip to make a 2D image, it spins a 2D panel to make a 3D image.” His Mastodon account offers further insights with visual aids.

Progress and Discoveries

Brown has dedicated over a year to this project. Initially introduced in August 2023 with a reference to Doc Brown from “Back to the Future,” he now acknowledges the need for faster rotation speeds to enhance image quality.

Exploring New Frontiers

Follow Brown’s creative journey on Mastodon, where he showcases not only Doom gameplay but also intriguing volumetric designs like lunar landers, skulls, and dinosaur heads. His latest YouTube video highlights his recent achievements in this innovative endeavor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, James Brown’s exceptional crystal ball, displaying Voxel Doom, represents a remarkable fusion of art and technology. His dedication and innovative approach promise exciting developments in the realm of visual displays.

FAQs

Q: What inspired James Brown’s creation of the crystal ball?

A: James Brown’s passion for immersive displays and his desire to push the boundaries of visual experiences sparked the idea for the crystal ball project.

Q: How does Voxel Doom differ from traditional Doom gameplay?

A: Voxel Doom introduces a 3D spatial element to the game’s graphics, aligning with the volumetric display’s capabilities, creating a more immersive gaming experience.

Q: What challenges did James Brown face during the development of the crystal ball?

A: Brown encountered obstacles such as the need for faster rotation speeds to achieve optimal image quality and smooth gameplay footage.

Credit: www.theverge.com