Slashdot started the ball rolling on news about Doom 4. It turned out to be a lot more than a rumor; a trip to the id Software site confirms that the news is valid and that development is underway. Not only that, id is looking to source some extra-special programming talent to get the job done right.

“DOOM is part of the id Software DNA and demands the greatest talent and brightest minds in the industry to bring the next installment of our flagship franchise to Earth,” said Todd Hollenshead, CEO, id Software. “It’s critical for id Software to have the best creative minds in-house to develop games that meet the standards synonymous with our titles.”

Some of my greatest memories of high school involved hitting the road straight after school to go to my friend’s house for a multiplayer Doom session. Now multiplayer gaming is commonplace, but back then it was a rare treat that Doom and Quake really broke into first. For this reason, I have a fondness for anything from id Software, even the stuff that does not have such wide appeal, like Doom 3.

I am hoping that they will get the formula right this time. My suggestion to Carnack and crew is to keep the game difficulty but build levels that are a little more straightforward. There is nothing worse than getting stuck looking for an exit to a level; there is nothing worse than turning an FPS into something akin to a game of Sudoku. [id Software via Slashdot via Crave]