This week, we stepped out of the office and straight into battle – medieval battle, that is. The CCL team paid a visit to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds for the incredible DOOM: The Dark Ages – Slayeux Tapestry event. As longtime fans of the franchise and passionate advocates for cutting-edge gaming hardware, this was an unmissable opportunity to experience a unique blend of art, history, and next-gen gaming hype.
DOOM Meets History: A Unique Collaboration
Hosted in one of the UK’s most iconic museums, the event marked a bold collaboration between Bethesda and the Royal Armouries. With the upcoming launch of DOOM: The Dark Ages, id Software is taking the legendary DOOM Slayer back to his roots—literally. This new entry dives into a dark, medieval setting, and where better to celebrate that than in the halls of real historic warfare?
The event was more than just a marketing moment. It was a genuine celebration of craftsmanship—both digital and physical—and a clever fusion of past and future.
The Star of the Show: The Slayeux Tapestry
The undeniable centerpiece of the event was the breathtaking Slayeux Tapestry—a towering 11-metre-long embroidered work of art, created as a loving (and lethal) homage to the historic Bayeux Tapestry. But instead of knights and Norman conquests, this one featured chainsaws, hellspawn, and the unstoppable DOOM Slayer in all his brutal glory.
Originally designed in France and embroidered by hand in London, the tapestry is a true cross-cultural creation, combining old-world craftsmanship with new-world carnage. Seeing it in person was something else entirely. The scale, detail, and creativity are simply stunning.
Every panel bursts with rich storytelling, illustrating the Slayer’s descent into chaos and battle against demonic forces. Rendered in 11th-century needlework style, it walks the line between reverence and rebellion—blending historical technique with the aggressive energy of the DOOM franchise. From grim prophecy to molten battlegrounds, every scene is chaotic, captivating, and wildly faithful to the tone of the series—even while stitched in wool.
The artistry doesn’t just impress—it elevates the entire exhibition, turning a violent video game into a kind of mythic saga, one that could easily hang beside medieval artefacts in the museum without feeling out of place. It’s a clever, beautiful collision of two storytelling traditions.
You can find the Slayeux Tapestry on display in the Hall of Steel at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. The exhibition runs daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM until May 16, and entry is completely free. Whether you’re a long-time DOOM fan or just curious about how digital culture and historical art can collide, it’s well worth a visit.
Meet the Slayer: Olivier Richters in Full Armour
As if the Slayeux Tapestry wasn’t enough to draw us into the world of DOOM: The Dark Ages, the arrival of Olivier Richters—better known as “The Dutch Giant”—cranked the immersion up to eleven. Towering at over seven feet tall and fully suited up as the DOOM Slayer, Richters didn’t just walk into the exhibition—he dominated it.
Clad in meticulously crafted armour that looked like it had been ripped straight from the game engine and dropped into a medieval fortress, he was a commanding presence among the crowd. The detailing on the costume was incredible: battle-worn plating, a glowing visor, and the unmistakable silhouette of gaming’s most iconic demon-slayer.
The energy shifted the moment he stepped into the Hall of Steel. Fans immediately swarmed for photos, and you could feel the excitement in the room. Kids, cosplayers, and lifelong DOOM enthusiasts all queued up for their moment with the Slayer. For a few surreal minutes, it felt like we weren’t just in a museum—we were in the game.
It was a brilliant move by the event organisers. Having Richters there in full gear didn’t just add star power; it gave the exhibition a tangible connection to the DOOM: The Dark Ages universe. In a venue surrounded by centuries-old swords, shields, and full suits of armour, the futuristic brutality of the DOOM Slayer somehow felt right at home. A fictional warrior standing shoulder to shoulder with history’s real ones—it was the perfect embodiment of the event’s theme.
Weapon of Legend: The Real Shield Saw on Display
No DOOM showcase would be complete without its signature instruments of destruction—and The Dark Ages delivers with one of the most brutal additions yet: the Shield Saw. A vicious hybrid of circular saw and medieval shield, this weapon is as deadly as it is iconic—designed to slice, slam, and sever with all the flair the DOOM Slayer is known for.
At the Royal Armouries event, Bethesda took things to the next level by unveiling a full-scale, fully functional Shield Saw prop. This wasn’t just a static model for display—it was built to actually work as a chainsaw. Yes, the saw blade could spin and rev up just like you’d expect from a real-world power tool of pure carnage.
Seeing it in person was incredible. Mounted prominently in the exhibition, it looked as if it had been torn straight from the hands of the Slayer himself. The craftsmanship was outstanding—scored metal, a gritty, worn finish, and intricate mechanical components that looked purpose-built for battle. The blade teeth were thick and jagged, the outer casing rugged and forged, and the detailing across the grip and inner housing gave it a convincing, war-tested look.
The fact that it functioned only added to its presence. It wasn’t just a cosplay piece or visual replica—it was an engineered tribute to the kind of raw, industrial violence the DOOM franchise embodies. Surrounded by real medieval polearms, axes, and swords, the Shield Saw somehow felt right at home—like a weapon that had evolved beyond its time.
For us, it was a highlight of the entire event. It captured the spirit of The Dark Ages perfectly: grounded in brutality, built with imagination, and executed with uncompromising detail.
Ready for Battle: Play DOOM on the Best Hardware
The event got us seriously hyped for DOOM: The Dark Ages—and it’s also a great reminder that this game is going to demand top-tier performance to look and feel its best.
That’s where the new NVIDIA 50-series graphics cards come in.
These GPUs are powered by DLSS 4, NVIDIA’s latest leap in AI-enhanced rendering. You’ll get:
- AI upscaling for ultra-sharp visuals even at lower base resolutions.
- 4x frame generation, ensuring fluid, high-FPS gameplay even in the most chaotic demon-slaying encounters.
If you're planning to dive into The Dark Ages on PC, now’s the time to upgrade. At CCL, we’ve got great deals on a wide range of NVIDIA 50-series cards, ready to power your next-gen experience.
Click here to check out the latest offers at CCL Computers
Final Thoughts
DOOM has always been about power, speed, and raw energy—and this event captured that in a totally unexpected setting. From the embroidered carnage of the Slayeux Tapestry to the chilling presence of the Slayer himself, the Royal Armouries event was a standout celebration of game culture, history, and tech.
We walked away inspired—and ready to gear up for launch day.
Whether you're a DOOM veteran or new to the franchise, this is one release you won’t want to miss. And if you're looking to play it at its full potential, CCL’s got you covered.
