Free Republic

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Since 2000, developer id Software has told the world the next installment of "Doom," the game that kicked off the action genre, would ship "when it's done." Good news, gamers: It's done. In the lexicon of the industry, "Doom 3" has gone gold.That means with id Software's work done, publisher Activision is duplicating copies to ship to retail. What it all boils down to is you'll be able to pick up a copy at retail on Aug. 5, though some stores could start selling the game as early as Aug. 3.

<p>A new Doom for a new millennium is on the way, and it promises to be as groundbreaking — and as controversial — as its previous incarnations.</p> <p>More than eight years ago, id Software unleashed Doom on an unsuspecting world of PC video game players. The game, which took the first-person perspective of an armed-to-the-teeth marine attempting to annihilate hordes of demons, was heavy on action and notably light on storyline.</p>