DOOM: The Dark Ages Surpasses 3 Million Players 7 Times Faster Than Eternal

DOOM: The Dark Ages Hits 3 Million Players in Record Time

In a remarkable announcement earlier today, Bethesda Softworks disclosed that id Software’s latest title, DOOM: The Dark Ages, has quickly amassed a staggering 3 million players, marking the most successful launch in the franchise’s history. This achievement is particularly impressive, as it reached this milestone seven times faster than its predecessor, DOOM Eternal.

It’s important to consider that DOOM Eternal did not have the advantage of an immediate launch on Game Pass, unlike its successor. Since Microsoft finalized its acquisition of Bethesda in March 2021—nearly a year after Eternal debuted—the inclusion of The Dark Ages within the subscription service likely influences these numbers. Assessing the performance of new releases in a franchise where one is available on a subscription model can lead to skewed comparisons.

Nonetheless, player reception appears overwhelmingly positive. Currently, DOOM: The Dark Ages enjoys an impressive 86% average user review score on Steam, indicating a strong approval from the gaming community.

To sum it up, DOOM: The Dark Ages is not just a good game; it has proven to be exceptional. I wholeheartedly recommend it to both fans of the genre and newcomers who seek a thrilling escapade—though fair warning, there is no shortage of demon blood and guts!

Gameplay and Features

This latest entry offers a rip-roaring adventure that tempers some of the extremes found in DOOM Eternal, steering the gameplay closer to the beloved DOOM (2016). It also expands the narrative experience with a robust campaign spanning over twenty stages. Fans of both the previous titles will likely find enjoyment here, despite a few minor flaws that do not detract significantly from the overall experience.

Upcoming Enhancements

In related news, NVIDIA has announced that a path tracing update for DOOM: The Dark Ages is set to roll out in June. This patch will also introduce denoising through NVIDIA’s DLSS Ray Reconstruction technology, further enhancing the visual experience.

Furthermore, in a recent conversation with Digital Foundry, id Software’s Billy Khan elaborated on the significance of ray tracing in making DOOM: The Dark Ages a reality.