Forget matching letters or identifying traffic lights.
Imagine proving you're human by playing the classic video game Doom, where success hinges on killing demons.
Released in 1993, "Doom" is a classic first-person shooter where players fight demons and undead across Mars' moons and hell.
This is the concept behind Doom CAPTCHA, an inventive project by Guillermo Rauch, CEO of Vercel.
In this new approach, users must conquer Doom’s nightmare mode and defeat three enemies to pass the test.
Rauch introduced the Doom CAPTCHA, a playful and challenging alternative to traditional bot-verification methods.
Rather than the typical distorted letters or ticking checkboxes, this CAPTCHA requires users to kill at least three demons in Doom's nightmare mode.
He announced the idea on X (formerly Twitter), explaining,
“Verify you're human by playing Doom and killing at least three enemies in nightmare mode.”
To pass the Doom CAPTCHA, players control the iconic space marine using the arrow keys and space bar.
The challenge isn’t just about moving through the maze—it’s about surviving Doom’s nightmare mode, where demons are faster, stronger, and more numerous.
One player shared their experience, saying,
“After like four tries of being an idiot, I realised if I just step forward, THEN backward, I can shoot the three dudes that spawn right in front of me, and I'm away from enemy fire.”
Rauch responded with,
“Yeah, that’s the winning move.”
It’s clear that while the challenge is fun, it’s far from easy.
Doom, first released in 1993 by id Software, has been a favorite for developers due to its open-source engine made public in 1997.
This allowed it to be modified and run on countless devices, from Bitcoin wallets to smart fridges.
Its adaptability has led to its installation on various platforms, from ATMs to blockchain networks making it an ideal choice for a quirky CAPTCHA.
Additionally, Doom has previously appeared in projects, such as its integration into the Dogecoin blockchain through the NFT-like Doginals protocol that allows users to inscribe media onto Dogecoin units permanently.
This adds a layer of blockchain culture to the game’s legacy.
The choice of Doom has garnered attention from tech enthusiasts, reflecting its enduring appeal.
The game's adaptability and the community's creative use of its engine have kept it relevant in tech circles.
This enthusiasm was seen in projects like the “Doom Olympics” on the Ethereum network in 2023, with significant prizes, demonstrating the game's potential to engage in competitive and creative tech scenarios.
Doom CAPTCHA also serves as a demonstration of Vercel's AI-powered web development tool, v0, which allows developers to create complex web projects from natural language.
The system uses AI to generate this CAPTCHA, showcasing the potential for creative solutions in web development.
However, there are potential legal concerns, as the use of Doom's non-open-source assets, such as maps and textures, may not fully align with copyright laws.
As AI models continue to evolve, the effectiveness of traditional CAPTCHA systems is being called into question.
Even advanced models like OpenAI’s GPT-4 can now play Doom, albeit not perfectly.
With AI improving rapidly, CAPTCHA's role in bot detection could soon be obsolete.
While Rauch has hinted at making the CAPTCHA more difficult, it’s unclear how much longer this method will stand up against the growing capabilities of AI.
While Doom CAPTCHA is an entertaining deviation from standard CAPTCHAs, it highlights the ongoing need for innovative solutions in the ever-evolving landscape of web security and human verification.
As bots grow more sophisticated, such creative approaches may become more common, blurring the lines between security and interactive experiences.
However, the difficulty level has to be considered.
This could become a barrier for users who are unable to complete the challenge and prefer a simpler verification process, potentially leading them to leave the website.
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