Library of Congress inducts DOOM soundtrack

The U.S. Library of Congress added Bobby Prince’s 1993 “Doom” soundtrack to the National Recording Registry on May 14, placing the score for id Software’s original shooter alongside 24 other recordings selected for preservation. Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen said the annual picks were chosen for their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage. (loc.gov) The Library said the 2026 class brought the registry to 700 titles. It also said “Doom” was the third video game music selection in the registry’s history. The selection gives one of gaming’s best-known soundtracks a place in a federal archive better known for preserving albums, singles and broadcasts that shaped U.S. culture. (news.xbox.com) The 2026 class also included Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” Taylor Swift’s “1989,” Weezer’s self-titled debut album and the original Broadway cast album of “Chicago,” according to the Library’s release. More than 3,000 public nominations were submitted this year, the agency said. ### How did the Library of Congress describe the “Doom” selection? The Library of Congress said on May 14 that “Doom” joined the registry as part of a class spanning 70 years of recorded sound, from Spike Jones’ 1944 “Cocktails for Two” to Swift’s 2014 “1989.” In its announcement, the Library identified the entry as “Bobby Prince – ‘Doom’ video game soundtrack (album, 1993).” (loc.gov) Robert R. Newlen said in the Library’s statement that recorded sound is part of the country’s national heritage and that the registry is intended to preserve that “national playlist” for future generations. The agency said it works with recording-industry partners on preservation and that the registry represents a small portion of its nearly 4 million sound recordings. (loc.gov) ### Why is this unusual for a game soundtrack? The Library’s blog said the 2026 class marked only the third time video game music had been selected for the National Recording Registry. That makes “Doom” a relatively rare game-related addition in a program that each year selects 25 recordings from across American recorded sound heritage. (loc.gov) The registry program says the annual selections are meant to increase preservation awareness and that anyone can submit nominations. The Library also maintains a complete registry listing and expanded essays for many inducted works, though it says copyright rules prevent it from posting sample audio for most selections. ### What exactly was preserved from 1993? The Library’s listing identifies the inducted work as the 1993 “Doom” soundtrack composed by Bobby Prince, the freelance composer whose music accompanied the original MS-DOS game. (loc.gov) The Library’s announcement tied the recording directly to the game that helped establish the first-person shooter genre’s early popularity. (blogs.loc.gov) Dexerto reported on May 16 that Prince’s score had been added as part of the Class of 2026 and noted that the soundtrack sits in the same intake as releases by Beyoncé, Swift, Weezer and the Go-Go’s. That report also said the registry total reached 700 titles this year. (loc.gov) ### What is happening now with the “Doom” franchise itself? Xbox’s official store page says “DOOM: The Dark Ages” is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PC and Game Pass. Xbox has described the game as a prequel to “DOOM” (2016) and “DOOM Eternal.” Bethesda’s Slayers Club said the Premium Edition includes access to a future campaign DLC, but the company has not published a release date for that add-on in the material reviewed here. (loc.gov) Xbox Wire said on March 30 that the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 will air on Sunday, June 7, at 10 a.m. Pacific, followed immediately by a “Gears of War: E-Day Direct.” ### Where can readers track the next official update? June 7 is the next dated milestone tied to Microsoft’s summer presentation schedule. (dexerto.com) Xbox Wire said the showcase will include first gameplay looks and news on upcoming titles from first-party studios and third-party partners, with follow-up coverage planned on Xbox Wire, the Official Xbox Podcast and Xbox’s YouTube channel. (news.xbox.com) (slayersclub.bethesda.net) (xbox.com)