Doom: The Dark Ages has captivated 3 million players since its release last week, marking a significant milestone as the biggest launch in id Software’s history by player count. Bethesda has shared that this impressive figure was achieved seven times faster than the launch of Doom Eternal in 2020. However, while the player count is celebrated, Bethesda has yet to disclose the game's sales figures, leaving some aspects of its success shrouded in mystery.
Launched on May 15, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, Doom: The Dark Ages has made its mark across multiple platforms. On Steam, the game reached a peak concurrent player count of 31,470, with a 24-hour peak of 16,328. These numbers are notably lower compared to Doom Eternal's peak of 104,891 and the 2016 Doom's peak of 44,271. This suggests a relative struggle on Valve's platform, but it's essential to consider the broader context.
The impact of Game Pass cannot be overlooked. Doom: The Dark Ages was available on day one across Game Pass for both Xbox consoles and PC, which likely attracted a significant number of players who opted for the subscription service rather than purchasing the game outright at its $69.99 price point in the U.S. Microsoft's strategy to boost Game Pass subscriptions might view this as a success, even if traditional sales figures are lower. Other games, like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, have demonstrated that strong sales are possible alongside a Game Pass launch, selling 2 million copies despite being available on the service.
Bethesda's approach to highlighting player counts over sales figures is not unique to Doom: The Dark Ages. Similar tactics were used for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which reported 4 million players, and Ubisoft's announcement of 3 million players for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. Only Bethesda and Microsoft have insight into whether Doom: The Dark Ages met its internal sales targets, but the high player count indicates strong performance, particularly on consoles and through Game Pass.
IGN's review of Doom: The Dark Ages awarded it a 9/10, praising the game for its shift from the mobility-focused gameplay of Doom Eternal to a more weighty and powerful style of play. This new approach was described as "immensely satisfying" and a fresh take for the series.
