Doom: The Dark Ages 'The Biggest Launch in id's History' — but No Sales Figure Yet

Since its launch last week, Doom: The Dark Ages has attracted a staggering 3 million players, marking it as the biggest launch in id Software's history by player count. This impressive feat was achieved seven times faster than Doom Eternal in 2020. Released on May 15, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, the game's success is undeniable, yet Bethesda has not disclosed specific sales figures.

Delving into the numbers, Steam's data provides a clear starting point. Doom: The Dark Ages reached a peak concurrent player count of 31,470, with a 24-hour peak of 16,328 concurrent players. This figure pales in comparison to Doom Eternal's peak of 104,891 five years ago, and even the original Doom from 2016, which hit a peak of 44,271. However, these numbers only tell part of the story.

The impact of Game Pass cannot be overlooked. Doom: The Dark Ages was available day-one on Game Pass for both Xbox consoles and PC, which likely drew in a significant number of players who opted for the subscription service rather than purchasing the game outright at $69.99. Microsoft's strategy to boost Game Pass subscriptions may be paying off, as seen with other titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which sold 2 million copies despite also launching on Game Pass. The higher price point of Doom: The Dark Ages might have influenced some potential buyers, yet the overall player count remains strong.

Bethesda's decision to announce player numbers rather than sales figures mirrors its approach with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which saw 4 million players. Similarly, Ubisoft announced 3 million players for Assassin's Creed: Shadows without disclosing sales. Only Bethesda and Microsoft have insight into whether Doom: The Dark Ages has met its internal targets, but the 3 million player milestone indicates strong performance, particularly on consoles and Game Pass, despite a less robust showing on Steam.

IGN's review of Doom: The Dark Ages awarded it a 9/10, praising its shift from the mobility-centric gameplay of Doom Eternal to a more weighty and powerful style that remains deeply satisfying. This positive reception likely contributed to the game's rapid player growth.