DOOM: The Dark Ages Launches with 3 Million Players, id Software's Largest Debut

DOOM: The Dark Ages: id Software’s Largest Launch Ever!

In a thrilling turn of events, DOOM: The Dark Ages has officially become id Software’s most successful launch yet, drawing in a staggering 3 million players. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the iconic FPS series and highlights the game’s growing popularity among gamers worldwide.

Breaking Records Faster Than Ever

According to a recent announcement by Bethesda, DOOM: The Dark Ages reached its 3 million-player milestone a remarkable 7 times faster than its predecessor, DOOM: Eternal. While earlier reports from Superdata in 2020 suggested that DOOM: Eternal hit the same player count in just 10 days, Bethesda has never confirmed these figures. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the acquisition of ZeniMax Media by Microsoft in 2020 brought DOOM: The Dark Ages to Xbox Game Pass at launch, providing an additional boost to its player base.

In contrast, DOOM: Eternal launched without access to Xbox Game Pass, which likely influenced its initial player numbers. SteamDB data shows that DOOM: The Dark Ages peaked at 31,470 concurrent players, while DOOM: Eternal achieved a peak of 104,891 players. Analyst firm Ampere estimates that approximately 2 million players of DOOM: The Dark Ages are from Xbox Game Pass.

A Brutal Renaissance of the DOOM Franchise

Despite the differences in player numbers, critics and fans alike agree that DOOM: The Dark Ages stands out as one of the best entries in the series. Game8 awarded the game an impressive 88/100, praising its return to the series’ roots with a grittier, ground-level combat loop. Fans of the original DOOM games will appreciate the intense, fast-paced action reminiscent of the classic titles.

For a deeper dive into what makes DOOM: The Dark Ages special, head over to our full review here.