"DOOM: The Dark Ages Launches with 3 Million Players, id Software's Biggest Hit"

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 launch by reaching over 3 million players within just a week of its release. This impressive feat marks the biggest launch in id Software's history, as announced by Bethesda in a Twitter (X) post on May 21. The game has garnered widespread acclaim, with reviewers praising its innovative approach and thrilling gameplay.

The speed at which DOOM: The Dark Ages hit this milestone is particularly noteworthy. Bethesda claims the game reached 3 million players 7 times faster than their previous title, DOOM: Eternal. However, there's a bit of a twist: Superdata reported in 2020 that DOOM: Eternal reached the same number within 10 days of its release. It's crucial to consider that these figures are estimates, and Bethesda has not officially confirmed the numbers for DOOM: Eternal. Comparing the two games requires a broader perspective, especially since DOOM: Eternal was released before ZeniMax Media, Bethesda's parent company, was acquired by Microsoft. This meant that DOOM: Eternal was not available on Xbox Game Pass at launch.

In contrast, DOOM: The Dark Ages benefits from day-one availability on PC Game Pass, influencing its performance on platforms like Steam. According to SteamDB, DOOM: The Dark Ages reached an all-time peak of 31,470 players, a figure that is considerably lower than DOOM: Eternal's launch peak of 104,891 players. Analyst firm Ampere estimates that 2 million of DOOM: The Dark Ages' players come from Xbox, highlighting the impact of Game Pass on its success.

Despite these numbers, the fanbase has embraced DOOM: The Dark Ages as a standout title in the franchise. Here at Game8, we've awarded it an impressive score of 88 out of 100. The game revitalizes the series with a gritty, boots-on-the-ground combat experience, moving away from the aerial combat style of DOOM (2016) and Eternal. For a deeper dive into our review, be sure to check out our detailed article below!