Doom: The Dark Ages Sets Record Launch for id, Sales Data Pending

Doom: The Dark Ages has reached an impressive milestone, welcoming over 3 million players within its first week of release—a figure that marks it as the biggest launch in id Software’s history by player count. According to a social media announcement from Bethesda, the game achieved this benchmark seven times faster than Doom Eternal did in 2020.

Launched on May 15, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, Doom: The Dark Ages has generated significant buzz. However, while player numbers are public knowledge, official sales figures remain under wraps. This lack of transparency isn't unusual—Bethesda has taken a similar approach with other titles like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which also launched day-one on Game Pass and reported player counts instead of sales.

Looking at Steam data provides some context. The game reached a peak concurrent player count of 31,470, with a 24-hour peak of 16,328. In comparison, Doom Eternal hit 104,891 concurrent players at its peak, while the 2016 reboot peaked at 44,271. While these numbers suggest a softer performance on Steam, it’s crucial to factor in the Game Pass effect.

Doom: The Dark Ages launched day-one on both PC and console Game Pass, giving subscribers instant access without needing to purchase the full $69.99 title. This model prioritizes subscriber growth over direct sales, aligning with Microsoft’s broader strategy to boost PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate adoption. Still, other Game Pass titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—priced at $50 and selling 2 million copies despite day-one access—show that price and perceived value may influence buying behavior.

At $69.99, Doom: The Dark Ages sits at the premium end of the pricing spectrum, which might have encouraged more players to try it via subscription rather than buy outright. As a result, the 3 million player count likely reflects strong engagement on consoles and through Game Pass, even if Steam sales appear more modest.

Ultimately, only Bethesda and Microsoft know whether the game has met internal performance goals. What’s clear is that the title has resonated with players, earning critical acclaim—including a 9/10 from IGN. The review praised the game’s bold shift in gameplay, noting: "Doom: The Dark Ages may strip away the mobility focus of Doom Eternal, but replaces it with a very weighty and powerful style of play that is different from anything the series has done before, and still immensely satisfying in its own way."