The latest articles on Forem by Sempala Daniel (@astrav). https://forem.com/astrav https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3687778%2F331a4a5d-4f8e-4cff-a6b4-1063b8890432.jpeg https://forem.com/astrav en Sempala Daniel Wed, 31 Dec 2025 19:04:19 +0000 https://forem.com/astrav/im-turning-my-github-contribution-graph-into-a-playable-screen-for-doom-am-i-insane-203m https://forem.com/astrav/im-turning-my-github-contribution-graph-into-a-playable-screen-for-doom-am-i-insane-203m <h2> It Runs DOOM. Now It Runs on GitHub. </h2> <p>We’ve all heard the rule:</p> <blockquote> <p><em>If it can run DOOM, it’s a real computer.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Over the years, we’ve seen DOOM running on <strong>pregnancy tests</strong>, <strong>tractors</strong>, <strong>ATMs</strong>, and <strong>digital cameras</strong>.</p> <p>But one day, while staring at those little green squares on my <strong>GitHub contribution graph</strong>, a dangerous thought crossed my mind:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Why are they just sitting there?</strong></p> </blockquote> <p>What if… they <em>did something</em>?</p> <h2> The Goal </h2> <p>I’m officially starting an experiment to <strong>render DOOM directly onto the GitHub Contribution Graph</strong>.</p> <p>Yes, the exact 7×52 grid that tracks your commits.</p> <p>This is not a joke project.<br> This is not a useful project.<br> This is a <strong>“should-not-exist-but-now-it-must”</strong> project.</p> <h2> The Vision </h2> <p>Here’s the plan (at least, the current version of it):</p> <ul> <li>Extract raw <strong>DOOM gameplay frames</strong> </li> <li> <strong>Downsample</strong> each frame to a <strong>7×52 resolution</strong> (the contribution grid size)</li> <li>Map grayscale pixels to GitHub’s <strong>4 shades of green</strong> </li> <li>Use <code>git commit --date</code> to <strong>paint frames into history</strong> </li> <li>Let the contribution graph become a <strong>display</strong> </li> </ul> <p>If this works, your GitHub profile becomes a DOOM renderer.</p> <h2> The “Impossible” Challenges </h2> <p>This isn’t just a script — it’s a fight against reality.</p> <h3> 1. The Refresh Rate </h3> <p>GitHub doesn’t update contribution graphs instantly.</p> <ul> <li>How slow is it really?</li> <li>Can it be tricked into pseudo-animation?</li> <li>Is DOOM at <strong>0.1 FPS</strong> still DOOM?</li> </ul> <h3> 2. The Commit Explosion </h3> <ul> <li>Will GitHub rate-limit commits?</li> <li>Will my profile get flagged?</li> <li>What happens if I make <strong>10,000 commits in 5 minutes</strong>?</li> </ul> <p><em>(We are about to find out.)</em></p> <h3> 3. The Input Problem </h3> <p>This is the wild part:</p> <ul> <li>Can <strong>git pushes</strong> control movement?</li> <li>Can branch names represent actions?</li> <li>Can DOOM be <em>played</em> using version control?</li> </ul> <p>I don’t know yet.</p> <p>And that’s the fun.</p> <p>This experiment will probably:</p> <ul> <li>Break things</li> <li>Confuse recruiters</li> <li>Permanently ruin a GitHub profile</li> </ul> <p>Worth it.</p> <h2> Join the Chaos </h2> <p>I need help from:</p> <ul> <li>Git wizards</li> <li>DOOM enthusiasts</li> <li>People who enjoy unnecessary technical suffering</li> </ul> <p>If this idea made you smile, cringe, or question my sanity — that’s a sign.</p> <p>This is <strong>Day 1</strong> of the <strong>GitHub DOOM</strong> experiment.</p> <p>Let’s see how far green squares can be pushed.</p> <p><em>If it runs DOOM… it deserves to exist.</em></p> showdev github opensource doom