Bethesda and MyMiniFactory Collaborate to 3D Print Replica Gun from DOOM Video Game

July 18, 2016 by Tyler Koslow 3D Design 3D Printed Guns 3D Printing

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When it comes to creating role-playing video games that place the player smack-dab in the middle of a realistically fantastical or frightening world, no gaming publisher currently does it better than the Maryland-based Bethesda. Whether it’s battling through the post-apocalyptic world in Fallout 4 or looting medieval towns in Skyrim, the video games created by Bethesda are usually highly anticipated and met with critical acclaim. The popularity of their various titles have led to some breath-taking cosplay, some of which has been produced with the help of 3D printing technology.

Their latest game, DOOM, which is the fourth main iteration of the classic first-person shooter franchise, takes gamers onto a Martian colony to battle terrifying demons from Hell. Playing as an unnamed marine, gamers are equipped with some massive, futuristic weaponry in the latest DOOM game, which has set the stage for unique cosplay. Before the game was released, Bethesda teamed up with the 3D printing marketplace MyMiniFactory to host a competition, inviting gamers to submit their own personalized 3D design of the game’s Big Fragging Gun (B.F.G.), the biggest and most deadly weapon available in the latest DOOM.

MyMiniFactory’s Kirby Downing and Sarah Wade

The contest must have been a raging success, as MyMiniFactory had to push back the announcement of the winner due to the massive influx of submissions. The winning prize was a life-sized 1:1 scale replica of the B.F.G., which was recently created by the 3D printing specialist from MyMiniFactory. The project took quite a while to complete, as the 3D printed B.F.G replica was made up of 70 individual parts, which were assembled after around 1000 hours of print time. MyMiniFactory utilized a number of different 3D printers to complete the project, but it still took the team over a month to complete the life-sized B.F.G.

After receiving the reference file from Bethesda, MyMiniFactory’s top-notch designer Kirby Downey was tasked with recreating the B.F.G as a 3D model and slicing it for their 3D printers. Downey has focused his design prowess on video games and cosplay for quite some time now, and has designed weapons from popular games like Destiny, World of Warcraft, and many more. All in all, the design itself took about 35 hours of work to complete. After the replica gun parts were 3D printed, the MyMiniFactory team performed a dry assembly of the B.F.G., putting the model together loosely to make sure it all fits, which is then followed by gluing them all together. Then, the B.F.G. was sent to the post-processing team, where it was painted to match the style portrayed in the newest DOOM game.

The 3D printed gun in 18 inches in height and width, and is over 3 feet long, weighing a total of 36 pounds. Although it doesn’t quite cause the mass destruction that it is capable in the video game world, just the sight of gigantic gun is enough to intimidate any hellish demon. It’s not exactly clear who the winner of the MyMiniFactory contest is yet, but, you can expect that the 3D printed gun will be appreciated by whomever it is sent to. As for gamers looking to get their hands on the B.F.G. replica, keep your fingers crossed that the unique life-sized weapon replica makes a public release. Are you a fan of Doom? Discuss further in the 3D Printed BFG forum over at 3DPB.com.

[Source: Xbox Achievements]