"DOOM: The Dark Ages Launches with Record 3 Million Players"

DOOM: The Dark Ages is Out Now!

Biggest Launch in id Software’s History

DOOM: The Dark Ages has stormed onto the gaming scene, achieving a monumental milestone as id Software's biggest launch with over 3 million players. Released just last week, the game has garnered high acclaim from various review platforms, signaling a robust reception among gamers and critics alike. Bethesda proudly announced this achievement via a Twitter (X) post on May 21, highlighting that DOOM: The Dark Ages reached this player count at a pace seven times faster than their previous title, DOOM: Eternal.

However, it's worth noting that some discrepancies exist regarding player numbers. Superdata reported in 2020 that DOOM: Eternal hit the 3 million player mark within 10 days of its release. These figures, though, were estimates and Bethesda has not officially confirmed them. When comparing the two titles, it's essential to consider broader contexts. At the time of DOOM: Eternal's launch, ZeniMax Media, Bethesda's parent company, had not yet been acquired by Microsoft. Consequently, DOOM: Eternal was not available on Xbox Game Pass at its debut.

In contrast, DOOM: The Dark Ages benefits from day-one availability on PC Game Pass, which has influenced its performance metrics, particularly on Steam. According to SteamDB, DOOM: The Dark Ages reached an all-time peak of 31,470 players, significantly lower than DOOM: Eternal's launch peak of 104,891 players. Analyst firm Ampere estimates that 2 million of DOOM: The Dark Ages' players are from Xbox.

Despite these statistics, the fanbase has embraced DOOM: The Dark Ages enthusiastically, considering it one of the finest entries in the franchise. Here at Game8, we've awarded it an impressive score of 88 out of 100. This score reflects our appreciation for the game's brutal renaissance of the DOOM series, which shifts away from the aerial dynamics of DOOM (2016) and Eternal, opting instead for a grittier, more grounded combat experience. To dive deeper into our review and thoughts on the game, be sure to check out our detailed article below!