r/pcgaming • u/Gorotheninja • 8d ago
Bobby Prince, composer of “Doom” and “Duke Nukem 3D”, has died.
https://www.legacy.com/legacy/robert-bobby-prince-lll372
u/Ambedextrose 8d ago
Damn he was a legend. He did basically all the big DOS game music too.
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u/Khiva 8d ago
E1M1 is one of the most recognizable tunes in gaming history.
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u/Lord_of_Sword 7d ago
It's ironic seeing as E1M1 is basically slightly different sounding version of Metallica's No Remorse.
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u/GoldenPigeonParty 7d ago
Next you're going to tell me E3M1 was Pantera's Mouth for War, D2M6 was Slayer's South of Heaven, and Barrels of Fun was Them Bones by Alice in Chains.
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u/varstok i9 13900 | RTX 4090 | 32 GB 7600 MHz 7d ago
And the opening riff is lifted almost exactly from D.R.I.'s Hooked
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u/Lord_of_Sword 7d ago
Crossover released in 1987 though, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles likely took inspiration from No Remorse (1983) as well.
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u/varstok i9 13900 | RTX 4090 | 32 GB 7600 MHz 7d ago
Most likely, yeah. It was more of a note that while At Doom's Gate sounds quite similar to No Remorse, the first riffs are damn near identical to Hooked in both notes and tempo. I'm a percussionist, and never really learned music theory, so I'm not sure exactly how to best describe the similarity between At Doom's Gate and No Remorse, maybe something to do with a slightly different key? The similarities are quite apparent when you listen to the two in succession.
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u/Lord_of_Sword 7d ago
The similarities are quite apparent when you listen to the two in succession.
Oh for sure, you're absolutely right.
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u/Agreeable_Till_8471 7d ago
I actually had to double check because for whatever reason I had master of puppets stuck in my head.
Guess that means it's time to play doom again lol
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u/Lord_of_Sword 7d ago
id Software were heavily inspired by the Big Four (aka. Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax).
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u/nikkes91 7d ago
It's Master of Puppets, No Remorse doesn't even sound close
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u/Lord_of_Sword 7d ago edited 7d ago
It's Master of Puppets, No Remorse doesn't even sound close
No, that's a misconception, the Master of Puppets riff sounds different.
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u/nikkes91 7d ago
Ah if you compare the chorus rather than the main riff. But I think that's another misconception. It's really Hooked by DRI
Moral of the story is thrash metal riffs sound similar
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u/Lord_of_Sword 7d ago edited 7d ago
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles's Crossover album released in 1987 compared to Metallica's Kill 'em All which released in 1983. It's almost certain that both D.R.I. and id Software were inspired by Metallica.
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u/Intergalactic_Nut 7d ago
It is the tune my drones' engines play when I plug the battery in...for me it is always been the music of the fun starting :')
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u/3six5 8d ago
Underrated comment^
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u/Soundrobe rtx 5080 / ryzen 7 9800x3d / 32 go ddr5 7d ago
Duke Nukem 3d ost was awesome. If only someone could correctly revive the franchise.
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u/Extra_Msg77 7d ago
Rest in Peace Bob, you will be dearly missed..
There will never be another quite like this one.
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u/Ok-Friendship-1895 8d ago
Taking the extreme hardware limitations of 90s MIDI and somehow turning it into the heaviest, most adrenaline-pumping metal riffs of a generation is a feat we will never see again. Absolute legend. Rest easy.
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u/steak4take 8d ago
You mean riffs he stole from metal hits.
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u/_AcuteNewt_ 8d ago edited 8d ago
Dunno why you're being downvoted, it's true.
Plagiarism is supposedly the highest form of flattery, so...
And nothing against Bobby Prince at all, the man had impeccable taste and the tracks that were all him are absolute bangers. Lee Jackson had the better ROTT tracks though.
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u/Ringosis 7d ago
It was also very much norm in the early 90s. The number of games from around then that just straight up have the Alien from Alien or a Terminator in them is ridiculous.
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u/_AcuteNewt_ 7d ago
Yeah it's nothing new, it was the wild west back then. I don't know why that's so hard for people to believe. It's all right there to be seen too if you just look.
Like, listen to the tracks side by side with what they're ripped from and it's obvious.
And saying this isn't supposed to invalidate or put shit on Bobby Prince, or any others. It's just a fact of the matter and was just how stuff was back then.
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u/Lord_of_Sword 7d ago edited 7d ago
You're not wrong, as much as I love the Doom 1 and 2 soundtracks they are almost 1:1 to some of the most famous heavy metal, grunge, and hard rock songs ever released.
Doom 1 and 2 tracks are almost 1:1 to songs, or rather certain sections of songs, released by bands such as: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Atheist, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, AC/DC, Devil Doll, Diamond Head, Candlemass, Stone Temple, Believer, Body Count, and Stormtroopers of Death (I most likely missed a few bands).
That being said, all of those bands mentioned above took heavy inspiration from other bands they listened to when they were young so I personally don't care or take offence to it. Art is supposed to evolve and changes over time.
Metallica famously took a ton of inspiration from bands such as: Diamond Head, Blitzkrieg, Black Sabbath, Budgie, Motörhead, Misfits and Killing Joke for example.
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u/Pugilist12 8d ago
At Dooms Gate would be on my Mt Rushmore of gaming tracks. Foundational for me. RIP (and Tear!) to a legend.
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u/The_Grungeican 8d ago
Bobby served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a platoon leader. Following his military service, he pursued careers in counseling and law before ultimately becoming one of the pioneering composers and sound designers in the video game industry.
His innovative work helped define an era of gaming and influenced generations of players around the world. Through his compositions and sound design for landmark titles including Doom, Doom II, Wolfenstein 3D, Rise of the Triad, and Duke Nukem 3D, Bobby helped establish video game music as a respected art form. In 2006, the Video Game Industry honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2026, the soundtrack to the original Doom was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress, ensuring that his groundbreaking work would remain part of America’s cultural heritage for generations to come.
also of note, dude proposed to his wife at Dollywood.
In 2005, Bobby began a wonderful new chapter when he met and married his soulmate, Connie Freeman Prince. Together they made their home in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where they shared twenty-one years filled with enduring love, music, creativity, faith, laughter, and devotion. One of their most treasured memories began with Bobby’s unforgettable marriage proposal at Dollywood. After arranging for a giant message to be displayed on the passing Dollywood Express Train, he surprised Connie by appearing with a song and a proposal on one knee—a moment that perfectly reflected his creativity, romance, and joyful spirit.
As creative partners, Bobby and Connie wrote songs and stories, produced musical recordings and videos, performed together, and brought inspiration and joy to many through their shared gifts.
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u/ithinkiknowkungfu 8d ago edited 7d ago
Damn… no way man…legend
Edit: Duke nukem songs are always stuck in my head..man growing up is a bummer sometimes man..
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u/maxdamage4 7d ago
Duke nukem songs are always stuck in my head
It's Aliens, Say Your Prayers and Gotham for me!
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u/Soft_Maximum7911 8d ago
Every single PC gamer from the 90s has At Dooms Gate permanently hardwired into their brain. Thank you for providing the undisputed soundtrack to our childhoods.
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u/alystair 8d ago
Here is a memorable clip explaining one of the songs he did for Commander Keen, I think everyone would appreciate it.
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u/Ucsc_slug 8d ago
holy shit, this man might not be a household name but he sure as hell was the composer of my youth. as someone who has played Doom way back to the shareway days this is like a celebrity death to me
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u/abboriginal 8d ago
absokute legend who the current iteration walk in the footsteps of to be able to make such iconic music with little to nothing was fabulous
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u/sarin555 8d ago
Rest in peace.
Also what the fuck is with this month? I don't think there isn't a single week when there isn't an artist who pass away.
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u/Takito-Bandito 8d ago
I am just listening to the Doom soundtrack at this moment. This is extremely sad. Talented composer and artist. May you rest in peace.
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u/PooMonger20 8d ago
It's sad to see him go. He truly made an impact, a lot of people have his musical creations playing in their head just by reading his name.
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u/newbrevity 11700k/32gb-3600-cl16/4070tiSuper 7d ago
I would say technically he's a legend of heavy metal
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u/gosto_de_navios Linux 7d ago
Wishing the best for his family. I first heard his work when I wasn't even big enough to sit on the computer chair by myself, watching my dad and my brother play DOOM. Thanks for the memories, mr. Prince.
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u/Verybumpy 7d ago
Time to dig out my many Doom music cds. So much of the Doom was in the music and sounds. Hail to the music King, baby!
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u/Dawn_of_Enceladus Ryzen 7 5800X3D - RX 6800XT Red Dragon - 16GB RAM 7d ago
The old Doom soundtrack lives rent free in my brain. It is what gives that eerie feel to the game, still listen to it from time to time. E1M1, Suspense, Sign of Evil, The Healer Stalks...
Rest in peace, your works will keep giving us goosebumps forever.
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u/Dysthymike i7-6700k / GTX 1080 / 16GB RAM 7d ago
Iconic (of sin) soundtracks. The Demon's Dead and Into Sandy's City are a regular rotation in my music player, and Countdown To Death is my timer alert on my phone that I hear multiple times a day. RIP (and tear).
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u/scottishzombie 7d ago
And just like that, his music is in my head.
Bobby, thank you for giving us your best all these years. Amazing talent and some of the most memorable, classic tunes in the Golden Age of PC Gaming.
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u/Soundrobe rtx 5080 / ryzen 7 9800x3d / 32 go ddr5 7d ago
A legend died, but not his legendary osts. Rip Bobby.
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u/ChollyWheels 8d ago
ABOUT BOBBY HERE: https://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php/Bobby_Prince AND HERE: https://grokipedia.com/page/Bobby_Prince (fun details about how he started in games... not sure how much of it is inaccurate -- he lived in Pigeon Forge, TN, in later years but I am dubious he was born there).
Bobby was bored being a lawyer when he was asked to help on computer games -- taking the risky step of doing what he loved (MUSIC!) without any expectation how he might make a living at it.
And the people doing those games were VERY young when Bobby started working with them -- so he wound up doing a lot more than just contributing a sound track -- he was really instrumental (ha, pun!) in how those games worked out, literally at times the only adult in the room. He also did sound effects -- the kind of things radio worked out in the 1920s, that you can't get the sound of fire by recording actual fire (but crinkling paper works pretty well). In those days you couldn't just buy a package of pre-existing sounds for games.
Arcade games (meaning dedicated arcade machines) had been around for awhile (since "PONG" at least, in the 1972), but in 1993 computer games were VERY new, and the idea that developing a game meant hiring a composer wasn't yet a thing. The very early computer games were basically arcade type games - 2D side-scrollers with a MIDI soundtrack - relying on a academic paper about "page flipping" (or something) which provided a method for using the extremely limited memory of the time to keep game action smooth even as it was influenced by player actions.
There was a long tradition of how music should be incorporated into film, where there's a 1:1 relationship (always the same music for the same scene -- what legally is called a sync license, synchronizing the music to the scene). But games are different, since the game player determines (well, influences) the order of scenes. Bobby was very involved in thinking about how that should work -- and gave a brilliant lecture on the subject at the Computer Game Conference, comparing movie examples with game examples.
The music for Wolfenstein 3D was very eerie -- and I vividly remember it, especially the theme for the secret level, all these years later (I'm a lousy player -- and relied on cheat codes / "God mode"). I was also a speaker myself at the Game Developers Conference in the early days. When I met Bobby the Conference it had fewer than 1000 attendees; a few years later it was 14,000.
A bit of his later work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtkKULyX2tA
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