Since its release last week, Doom: The Dark Ages has attracted an impressive 3 million players. Bethesda has proudly announced that this launch marks the largest by player count in id Software’s history, reaching this milestone seven times quicker than Doom Eternal did back in 2020. This remarkable achievement showcases the game's widespread appeal and success across different platforms.
Doom: The Dark Ages launched on May 15, 2025, and is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. To better understand its performance, let's delve into the specifics. On Steam, the game reached a peak concurrent player count of 31,470, with a 24-hour peak of 16,328 players. In comparison, Doom Eternal achieved a peak concurrent player count of 104,891, while the 2016 Doom hit 44,271 at its peak. These figures suggest that The Dark Ages may have had a relatively weaker performance on Steam.
However, it's essential to consider the impact of Game Pass on these numbers. Doom: The Dark Ages was available on Game Pass from day one for both Xbox consoles and PC, which likely influenced player counts. Many players might have opted to play the game through Game Pass rather than purchasing it outright for $69.99 in the U.S. This strategy aligns well with Microsoft's goal to boost Game Pass subscriptions, and it's a model that has worked for other titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which sold 2 million copies despite also being on Game Pass. The higher price point of Doom: The Dark Ages could have potentially deterred some direct purchases.
Interestingly, Bethesda has shared the impressive player count for Doom: The Dark Ages but has not disclosed specific sales figures. This approach mirrors their strategy with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which saw 4 million players and also launched on Game Pass. Similarly, Ubisoft announced 3 million players for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows without revealing hard sales data. Ultimately, only Bethesda and Microsoft know if Doom: The Dark Ages has met its internal targets, but the high player count indicates strong performance, particularly on consoles and Game Pass, despite possibly underperforming on Steam.
IGN's review of Doom: The Dark Ages awarded it a 9/10, praising its shift away from the mobility-focused gameplay of Doom Eternal to a more weighty and powerful style that remains deeply satisfying and unique within the series.
