‘Doom’ Creator John Romero Is Making 18 New Levels For Original Game

By Stefanie Fogel

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – “Doom” designer John Romero and his studio, Romero Games, is releasing a free “megawad” called “Sigil” for the original 1993 first-person shooter.

In “” parlance, a megawad is a fan-made batch of 15 levels or more. “Sigil” has 18 levels — nine single-player and nine deathmatch. It’s the spiritual successor to the fourth episode of “Doom” and it picks up where the original left off, according to its official website .

In addition to the megawad, Romero Games is also offering two limited edition “Sigil” fan boxes created by Limited Run Games. They feature music by legendary metal guitarist Buckethead, including a custom song written for “Sigil,” along with cover art by metal album artist Christopher Lovell.

The “Sigil” Beast Box is inspired by the Id Anthology box and contains:

• A 16GB 3-1/2-inch floppy disk-themed USB with the free megawad data and extras
• A 2-disc booklet styles case with the megawad data and full Buckethead soundtrack, as well as behind-the-scenes info on the original game and the megawad’s development
• An 8″ x 10″ art print signed by Christopher Lovell
• A “Sigil”-themed coin
• A pewter statue of John Romero’s head on a spike
• An XL-sized “Sigil” t-shirt
• One “Sigil” sticker and one Romero Games sticker

The “Sigil” Standard Edition box contains:

• A standard-sized “big box” featuring artwork by Christopher Lovell
• A 16GB 3 1/2-inch floppy disk themed USB that includes the free megawad data and extras
• The Buckethead sountrack
• The two stickers

“Sigil” pre-orders will only be open from Dec. 10 through Dec. 24. Both the free megawad and the boxes are expected to ship in mid-February. Players need a copy of the original 1993 registered version of “Doom” in order to play the new levels.