"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 scene, achieving a monumental launch with over 3 million players within just a week of its release. This remarkable feat marks it as id Software's largest launch to date. Bethesda shared this exciting news via a Twitter (X) post on May 21, highlighting the game's impressive reception and widespread acclaim from various review platforms.

The milestone of 3 million players was reached seven times faster than id Software's previous title, DOOM: Eternal. However, it's worth noting that this comparison has stirred some debate. In 2020, Superdata reported that DOOM: Eternal hit the 3 million player mark within 10 days of its release. These figures from Superdata were estimates, and Bethesda has not officially confirmed these numbers.

When comparing the two games, it's crucial to consider broader contextual factors. At the time of DOOM: Eternal's launch, Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media, had yet to be acquired by Microsoft, meaning DOOM: Eternal was not available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. In contrast, DOOM: The Dark Ages was made available on PC Game Pass from day one, which undoubtedly influenced its player statistics.

Despite SteamDB's data showing an all-time peak of 31,470 players for DOOM: The Dark Ages, which is significantly lower than DOOM: Eternal's launch peak of 104,891 players, the game has still garnered substantial attention. Analyst firm Ampere estimates that 2 million of DOOM: The Dark Ages' players came from Xbox.

Enthusiasts and critics alike are heralding DOOM: The Dark Ages as a standout addition to the iconic franchise. Here at Game8, we awarded it an impressive score of 88 out of 100. The game brings a brutal renaissance to the DOOM series, shifting away from the aerial acrobatics seen in DOOM (2016) and Eternal, and embracing a more grounded, gritty combat experience. For a deeper dive into our review, feel free to explore our detailed article below!