DOOM: Dark Ages Hits 3M Players at Launch

DOOM: The Dark Ages has become id Software's most successful launch title yet, attracting 3 million players worldwide. Discover how it stacks up against DOOM: Eternal and learn about upcoming PC-exclusive content updates.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Is Now Available Worldwide

Record-Breaking Launch Surpasses Studio History

The latest installment in the DOOM franchise launched last week to critical acclaim, earning stellar reviews across gaming platforms. Bethesda announced via Twitter on May 21 that the game has already surpassed 3 million players, setting a new benchmark for id Software's launch numbers.

Official reports indicate this milestone was achieved seven times faster than with DOOM: Eternal. This contrasts with Superdata's 2020 claim that Eternal reached 3 million players within its first ten days. It's worth noting these were third-party estimates, as Bethesda never officially confirmed Eternal's launch figures.

Direct comparisons should consider broader market conditions. When Eternal launched, Microsoft hadn't yet acquired ZeniMax Media, making DOOM: The Dark Ages the series' first day-one release on Xbox Game Pass.

PC Game Pass availability has impacted Steam performance metrics. SteamDB records show DOOM: The Dark Ages peaked at 31,470 concurrent players, significantly lower than Eternal's 104,891 launch peak. Analyst firm Ampere estimates approximately 2 million players accessed the game through Xbox platforms.

Despite these metrics, the gaming community widely regards Dark Ages as a franchise standout. Game8 awarded it an 88/100 rating, praising its grounded combat system that replaces Eternal's aerial mechanics with visceral, earthbound warfare. For our full analysis, explore the review below!