DOOM: The Dark Ages | Skullcrusher Pulverizer
The Skullcrusher Pulverizer was one of the first weapons developed for the game - the gun crushes skulls as ammo and shoots out bone shards. The game design team provided the core idea of a gun that uses bone as ammo and deals wide-area damage. From there, I developed the weapon’s function and visual direction, taking it from early concept sketches and proxy models to the final concept. Heavy machinery and heavy metal tone served as key inspirations.
Early in development, I explored quick ideas for how bone could be used as ammo - experimenting with different ways it could be loaded and fired. These sketches eventually led to the idea of using entire skulls as the projectile.
Some early sketches were mocked up in 3D. The wood chipper-style third option was chosen - it fit the heavy metal dark ages tone and clearly showed the wide-area impact.
Videos illustrating gun function went through multiple iterations, all aiming for a weapon that could hit multiple enemies at once. Heavy machinery and motorcycles were key inspirations.
The initial proxy model I created was used for in game prototypes and helped nail down the final proportions of the Skull Crusher.
Here's the same proxy with further refinements. Trying to stay true to the proxy proportions.
Here shows the weapons mouth open - ready to shoot shards everywhere.
Since the slayer holds both a large weapon and shield this was an attempt at getting the scale right for both first person and 3rd.
