DOOM: The Dark Ages Launches with 3 Million Players, id Software's Biggest Hit

DOOM: The Dark Ages is Out Now!

Biggest Launch in id Software’s History

DOOM: The Dark Ages has stormed onto the gaming scene, achieving the monumental milestone of 3 million players within its first week. This impressive launch marks the largest in id Software's history, as celebrated in a recent Twitter (X) post by Bethesda on May 21. The game's swift success, reaching this number 7 times faster than its predecessor, DOOM: Eternal, showcases its overwhelming appeal.

However, it's essential to consider the context of these numbers. When DOOM: Eternal launched in 2020, it reportedly hit the 3 million player mark within 10 days, according to Superdata. These were estimates, and Bethesda has never officially confirmed these figures. Additionally, DOOM: Eternal was not available on Xbox Game Pass at launch due to ZeniMax Media not yet being acquired by Microsoft.

In contrast, DOOM: The Dark Ages was immediately accessible on PC Game Pass, which influenced its player data on Steam. According to SteamDB, the game reached an all-time peak of 31,470 concurrent players, significantly less than DOOM: Eternal's peak of 104,891 at launch. Analyst firm Ampere estimates that 2 million of DOOM: The Dark Ages' players come from Xbox.

Despite these comparisons, fans and critics alike are hailing DOOM: The Dark Ages as a standout entry in the franchise. At Game8, we've awarded it an impressive score of 88 out of 100, praising its gritty, boots-on-the-ground combat that marks a brutal renaissance for the series. This approach diverges from the aerial combat of DOOM (2016) and Eternal, offering a fresh yet familiar experience.

For a deeper dive into our review and more insights on DOOM: The Dark Ages, be sure to check out our detailed article below!