The Washington Post selects Doom as one of the 25 ‘most influential works of American culture’
The Washington Post has designated Doom, the groundbreaking 1993 first-person shooter developed by id Software, as one of the 25 most influential works of American culture. The recognition comes as part of a special list commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, elevating the pioneering videogame to the status of foundational American cultural artifact.
The curated selection positions Doom alongside other iconic touchstones including Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” the Star-Spangled Banner, Frederick Douglass’s slave narrative, Levi’s jeans, Mickey Mouse, and recordings by blues legend Robert Johnson. This eclectic grouping spans literature, music, design, and entertainment across centuries of American history.
The inclusion of Doom underscores the videogame’s profound and lasting impact on popular culture and entertainment. Since its 1993 release, the fast-paced shooter has remained a foundational work within gaming and beyond, representing a defining achievement of its era. The designation represents significant cultural validation for the videogame industry, recognizing how a pioneering title revolutionized both the medium itself and broader public perception of gaming as a serious cultural form.