Doom: The Dark Ages hits 3 million players, but is the success real?

[Cal Jeffrey]

Editor's take: I really want Doom: The Dark Ages to be good, and so far, the reviews look decent enough. However, other evidence, including declining player counts and online gab, paints a different picture. It also brings into question the sincerity of Bethesda's most recent social media post regarding the game's performance.

Bethesda took time out of its busy schedule this week to take a victory lap over Doom: The Dark Ages, which has reached 3 million players since its May 15 release. The publisher claimed the game hit that milestone seven times faster than Doom Eternal, making it the most successful launch in id Software's history. We'll have to take its word for it, though – Bethesda offered no sales figures, and player counts are hard to verify since only Steam makes them public.

Some have found Bethesda's claims dubious. Video Games Chronicle points out that Bethesda's assertion of The Dark Ages reaching 3 million players seven times faster than Doom Eternal contradicts known statistics. According to 2020 numbers from Superdata, Eternal took 10 days to reach that mark. Bethesda posted its self-congratulatory message on X five days after launch, meaning The Dark Ages met the goal twice as fast, not seven times.

Although IGN gave the game a glowing 9/10 review, it expressed skepticism about the achievement. According to Steam data, Doom: The Dark Ages peaked at 31,470 concurrent players and has steadily declined since. Comparatively, Doom Eternal reached 104,891, and Doom (2016) hit 44,271 during similar timeframes. While concurrent Steam player counts don't reflect total player numbers, they offer a rough gauge of the game's momentum.

While the newest installment in the franchise has earned solid marks – 86/100 from critics and 8.6/10 from users – forum chatter remains mixed, though it leans slightly positive. Redditor Westonsammy summed up the general consensus among his friends.

"If you loved Eternal and its combat, you'll like Dark Ages but see it as a downgrade from Eternal in terms of gameplay," he wrote. "If you disliked Eternal and its combat, you'll love Dark Ages, and it'll be your favorite game in the trilogy."

Many others found this a fair assessment, chiming in with views along the same lines, with difficulty (or lack thereof) being a common complaint.

"In Eternal, I knew if I set it to nightmare, I was going to get a good challenge, whereas in TDA, I barely have to think on nightmare," Muddymess responded. "I could probably tweak the sliders to get a decent challenge, but that, to me, just feels cheap somehow [grammar edited for clarity]."

Thank you for making DOOM: The Dark Ages the biggest launch in id's history - 7x faster to 3 million players than DOOM Eternal. pic.twitter.com/c0SKR97FO8

– Bethesda (@bethesda) May 20, 2025

Doomscrolling (pun intended) the same thread did not reveal much glowing praise, despite the original post – "Doom: The Dark Ages Is The 'Biggest Launch' In id Software History" – being a straightforward report on Bethesda's claim. Perhaps the tone was set by the first comment on the thread:

"Love the game but I do feel it was a step backwards from eternal," Outside-Point8254 wrote. "It's really missing Mick Gordon music."

Regardless of the contradictory nature of forum discussions versus reviews, the fact remains that it's hard to tell whether Bethesda is being genuine about the game's success or just blowing smoke to hype what could be the weakest id Software game in nearly a decade. Remember, in the age of software as a service/subscription, unique player numbers don't directly translate into sales figures.

The Dark Ages was a day-one release on Game Pass, which likely gave it the boost it needed to surpass the 3 million player mark. With the game priced at $70, it makes sense that many who might have bought it – some even sight unseen – opted to play it for "free" through their existing Xbox subscriptions. Maybe we should wait until we have some sales figures to throw a party. Just sayin'.

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Doom: The Dark Ages hits 3 million players, but is the success real?

 

[WhiteLeaff]

This is based on Ganepass subscriptions and doesn't translate into revenue like 3 million copies sold, Doom Eternal sold 6 million copies on PC alone if I'm not mistaken.

 

[NumberNine]

Just remember: If they can't be sued for saying something, they will say it.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

When they state "million players" instead of "million copies sold" that is a tell for the game selling like poo, see also Dragon Age Failguard.

Dark Age is the total opposite of DOOM 2016, emphasizing story and lore over gameplay, being less than half the length of Eternal, and that story? All about eldritch horrors? Cool, now that you've heard it, lets go **** around in a castle for an hour before the next mandatory story clip!

Unsurprisingly, it's not drumming up the interest from the game's previous audiences. John Carmack said games need a story the same way a Corno does, and it's obvious without his influence that, for DOOM, he was right.

This is based on Ganepass subscriptions and doesn't translate into revenue like 3 million copies sold, Doom Eternal sold 6 million copies on PC alone if I'm not mistaken.

At least now that MS owns Bethesda, they can cut out the middleman on the gamepass income.

$7.5 billion well spent.

 

[Kirby1]

It is a good game, and citing Steam numbers for a game pass game is dumb.

I like that each modern doom game have some distinctive differences. It's OK if the one isn't everyone's favorite of the three. Some people will prefer it and some will prefer one of the other two. Not a big deal.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Doom 2016 was lightning in a bottle. I'm still waiting for Eternal to drop to $10 complete edition but the game was extremely divisive with its 0-100 lore dumping and parkour mechanics and ultra-gamified combat.

TDA, good game or not, is likely having a rough time because a lot of people that want more Doom 2016 got burned by Doom Eternal and stuff like flying a dragon and piloting a mech and even more ridiculous cranked to 11 lore stuff might make for cool "heavy metal" marketing material, it just doesn't feel like Doom at all.

It looks like a modern COD/HALO style shooter wearing Doom's skin.

 

[VaRmeNsI]

Doom 2016 was lightning in a bottle. I'm still waiting for Eternal to drop to $10 complete edition but the game was extremely divisive with its 0-100 lore dumping and parkour mechanics and ultra-gamified combat.

TDA, good game or not, is likely having a rough time because a lot of people that want more Doom 2016 got burned by Doom Eternal and stuff like flying a dragon and piloting a mech and even more ridiculous cranked to 11 lore stuff might make for cool "heavy metal" marketing material, it just doesn't feel like Doom at all.

It looks like a modern COD/HALO style shooter wearing Doom's skin.

It's good considering how DEI ridden most studios are nowadays, it could have been a lot worse.

 

[b3rdm4n]

Doom 2016 was lightning in a bottle.

This is exactly how I describe it, and overall IMO the trilogy got slight worse each time now. 2016 was chefs kiss, where Eternal and DA have some unwanted flavours creeping in.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

It is a good game, and citing Steam numbers for a game pass game is dumb.

I like that each modern doom game have some distinctive differences. It's OK if the one isn't everyone's favorite of the three. Some people will prefer it and some will prefer one of the other two. Not a big deal.

Steam is the dominant platform for PC gaming. Ignoring it's numbers because a game is available on alternative platforms is stupid.

When you make a game that is such a radical departure from previous entries, you should expect low sales. People dont buy DOOM to play a half baked CoD title. "We need someone to man that turret" tier dialog doesnt belong in a DOOM game. Just like when you buy Saints Row, you expect to play as Gangsters running a criminal empire, not whiny college kids making le epik meme references and complaining about capitalism.

Doom 2016 was lightning in a bottle. I'm still waiting for Eternal to drop to $10 complete edition but the game was extremely divisive with its 0-100 lore dumping and parkour mechanics and ultra-gamified combat.

TDA, good game or not, is likely having a rough time because a lot of people that want more Doom 2016 got burned by Doom Eternal and stuff like flying a dragon and piloting a mech and even more ridiculous cranked to 11 lore stuff might make for cool "heavy metal" marketing material, it just doesn't feel like Doom at all.

It looks like a modern COD/HALO style shooter wearing Doom's skin.

I think the other big part is losing Carmack. He was the last of the old guard from iD's glory days. Just like bioware, bungie, ece, iD is a mere shadow of its former self, and the replacement personnel dont understand the recipe for success they were handed; so we end up with lore dumping DOOM full of cheap cutscenes and castle interiors.

The irony is delicious, given DOOM 2016 starts with DOOM guy physically shoving the story out of the way, the way Carmack intended.

 

[Kirby1]

Steam is the dominant platform for PC gaming. Ignoring it's numbers because a game is available on alternative platforms is stupid.

When you make a game that is such a radical departure from previous entries, you should expect low sales. People dont buy DOOM to play a half baked CoD title. "We need someone to man that turret" tier dialog doesnt belong in a DOOM game. Just like when you buy Saints Row, you expect to play as Gangsters running a criminal empire, not whiny college kids making le epik meme references and complaining about capitalism.



I think the other big part is losing Carmack. He was the last of the old guard from iD's glory days. Just like bioware, bungie, ece, iD is a mere shadow of its former self, and the replacement personnel dont understand the recipe for success they were handed; so we end up with lore dumping DOOM full of cheap cutscenes and castle interiors.

The irony is delicious, given DOOM 2016 starts with DOOM guy physically shoving the story out of the way, the way Carmack intended.

Steam is the dominant place for people to buy games. But doom is a first party Microsoft game. Everyone with game pass is gonna play doom there. Most of the gamers I know are playing it but only one got it on Steam.

 

[toooooot]

What is even the point to report players who tried the game? A lot of people play 10 minutes and then never come back to play it. And since the game is on gamepass, that number means nothing. The only number they need to report is when their service becomes profitable.
I doubt they sold more than 1 million copies.
There are too many bad ones coming from major studios, lately. Most of them are not worth buying. In such times, it is pointless keeping them. I guess, they decided to make subscription gaming preferable gaming for most people. And they found the best way to achieve it. Will it be a good path in a long run? Idk, it seems like a lot more people get interested in indi games while trusting big studios less and less. Look at all the big games that get negative reaction even before they are released. Then they come out, then they flop. Intergalactic seems like the next candidate to walk this road.

 

[scavengerspc]

Loved the DOOM series since the first, and The Dark Ages is damn good.
But I'm surprised it got much attention because Expedition 33 was also day one on Game pass and it's excellent.
Of course they aren't exactly the same type of game.

 

[Neatfeatguy]

This is exactly how I describe it, and overall IMO the trilogy got slight worse each time now. 2016 was chefs kiss, where Eternal and DA have some unwanted flavours creeping in.

I played games like Doom 2016 and Eternal - Painkiller and Serious Sam. Played them all and they got boring - or maybe just not the right type of engaging that I enjoy from FPS? I thought the reboot of Doom was horrifically boring, like I was playing another version of Painkiller or Serious Sam. Just constantly running in circles, jumping and shooting. Repeat ad nauseum.

To each their own.

I played the first 5 missions on TDA and it was okay. I thought it was more engaging than the last two Doom releases, but even playing the game on Ultra-Violence felt too easy. Going back to Doom or Doom 2, playing on Ultra-Violence meant you had to make sure you're head was on a constant swivel because the bad guys were out for blood. Hurt Me Plenty wasn't challenging enough, but Ultra-Violence kept things hectic and you needed to keep moving.

I haven't touched the nor even thought about going back to play it this whole week. Maybe I might finish it one day, but there isn't anything enticing about the game where I can't wait to keep playing.

I didn't purchase a copy of the game, I'm just considered a player in Bethesda's 3 million player count because I tired it through GamePass.

 

[Subset6]

Where's the PvP? This is a Doom game? Am I missing something here?

 

[JetFixxxer]

Of all the Doom games starting from the very first one. I always lost track of time and pushed sleep back so I could play just a little more. Always telling myself I will stop at the next level. This one not so much.. Find the maps bland, just an open space with some models on the perimeter. Throwing enemies at you like Serious Sam. The Mech and Dragon are pretty lame in my opinion.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Steam is the dominant place for people to buy games. But doom is a first party Microsoft game. Everyone with game pass is gonna play doom there.

Steam's DAU and MAU numbers absolutely CRUSH gamepass. There is not a single game that has failed on Steam that succeeded on Gamepass instead. Doesnt matter that it is first party to MS, this statement has tracked for Halo Infinite and Forza as well.

As the article covered, gamepass subscriptions do not generate the same revenue as selling copies. Much like disney+ shows, unless you see a significant spike in subscriptions, all the money poured into these projects is effectively lit on fire.

Most of the gamers I know are playing it but only one got it on Steam.

Anecdotes are like arseholes, everyone has one, and most of them stink.

Where's the PvP? This is a Doom game? Am I missing something here?

Well, it's MODERN DOOM, which means it will launch incomplete with little content for a higher price. As is the style at the moment.

 

[daffy duck]

32 years of the same IP is rather pathetic from ID. I honestly cannot understand how they have survived for so longer totally bereft of new ideas. Rage was far more interesting than any Doom game.

 

[Kirby1]

You're xle

Steam's DAU and MAU numbers absolutely CRUSH gamepass. There is not a single game that has failed on Steam that succeeded on Gamepass instead. Doesnt matter that it is first party to MS, this statement has tracked for Halo Infinite and Forza as well.

As the article covered, gamepass subscriptions do not generate the same revenue as selling copies. Much like disney+ shows, unless you see a significant spike in subscriptions, all the money poured into these projects is effectively lit on fire.

Anecdotes are like arseholes, everyone has one, and most of them stink.

Well, it's MODERN DOOM, which means it will launch incomplete with little content for a higher price. As is the style at the moment.

You're clearly committed to wanting to believe this game is a flop, but that could not be further from the truth.

If this game is doing worse than the other two (which would be hard to quantify since everyone with game pass is likely going to play it there and we don't know what the numbers are on game pass) it's probably because the hardware requirements are much higher relative to the other two when they released. Obviously Steam is more popular, but a game on game pass vs buying it on steam is not an even comparison.

 

[scavengerspc]

Obviously Steam is more popular, but a game on game pass vs buying it on steam is not an even comparison.

Also, game pass subs are up over 25% in the last 2 years to 35 million.
That is a lot more uncounted players.

 

[Watzupken]

The number of players is not a meaningful metric to measure the health of the game. It’s co-mingled with Game Pass and for all you know, half that number comes from Game Pass players. Ultimately, how much the developer actually makes versus the cost of development is all that matters. You can brag X million copies sold, but still in the red, which is pointless. Take the recent Assassin Creed as a great example of “high player count” but will it save them? I doubt that.