If you’ve ever used the internet, you’ve likely faced a CAPTCHA test to prove you’re human. These tests help protect websites from bots and cyberattacks like DoS assaults.
Most CAPTCHAs are pretty straightforward, if a little frustrating (seriously, can we get clearer pictures of those traffic lights?). But now, there’s a creative twist: a CAPTCHA that makes you play a video game to gain access to a site.
The game? The iconic first-person shooter DOOM. To pass the test, you’ll need to defeat three monsters in this retro 16-bit game. Bots can’t handle the challenge—at least, not yet.
This unique CAPTCHA was created by Guillermo Rauch, CEO of Vercel, using their AI site-building tools. But don’t expect an easy ride—it’s designed to be tough, running at the Nightmare difficulty level with faster gameplay. This is no coincidence; the goal is to keep bots from beating the system.
If you grew up with retro games like DOOM (back when they weren’t “retro”), you know they weren’t shy about difficulty. Lose all your lives? Tough luck. Start over. It was part of the charm—and frustration—of gaming back then.
Now, let’s be real: nobody has time to play DOOM every time they need to log into a website. This CAPTCHA is more of a showcase for Vercel’s capabilities than a practical tool.
Still, it’s a fun concept! If you want to try it out without any pressure, you can play the game here.
