DOOM: The Dark Ages is Out Now!
Biggest Launch in id Software’s History
DOOM: The Dark Ages has stormed onto the scene with a groundbreaking launch, captivating over 3 million players within its first week. This milestone marks the most successful debut in id Software's storied history. Bethesda proudly announced this achievement via a Twitter (X) post on May 21, highlighting the game's rapid ascent to fame.
Notably, DOOM: The Dark Ages achieved this impressive feat seven times faster than its predecessor, DOOM: Eternal. However, it's worth clarifying that while Superdata estimated DOOM: Eternal reached 3 million players within 10 days of its release back in 2020, these figures were estimates and never officially confirmed by Bethesda.
When comparing the launch figures of both titles, it's crucial to consider the broader context. At the time of DOOM: Eternal's launch, Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media, had yet to be acquired by Microsoft. As a result, DOOM: Eternal was not available on Xbox Game Pass at its debut.
In contrast, DOOM: The Dark Ages was available on PC Game Pass from day one, which influenced its Steam performance. Data from SteamDB indicates that DOOM: The Dark Ages reached an all-time peak of 31,470 players, a figure dwarfed by DOOM: Eternal's launch peak of 104,891 players. Analyst firm Ampere estimates that 2 million of DOOM: The Dark Ages' players came from Xbox.
Despite these comparisons, the fanbase has embraced DOOM: The Dark Ages as a standout title in the franchise. Here at Game8, we've awarded it an impressive 88 out of 100, applauding its bold reimagining of the DOOM series. This latest installment shifts from the aerial combat of DOOM (2016) and Eternal to a more grounded, gritty combat experience. For a deeper dive into our review, check out our comprehensive article below!
