DOOM: The Dark Ages Sees Surge in Pre-Order Cancellations Over Physical Edition Disappointment

A wave of pre-order cancellations is hitting DOOM: The Dark Ages following backlash over its controversial physical edition. Fans who were excited to get their hands on the latest entry in the iconic DOOM franchise are now disappointed after discovering that the game disc contains only 85 MB of data, requiring an additional download of over 80 GB to play the full game. Read on to find out more about this growing controversy and how players can still access an exclusive skin.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Pre-Launch Updates

Fans Cancel Their Pre-Orders

The backlash began when it was revealed that the physical version of DOOM: The Dark Ages arrives on a disc with just 85 MB of content, forcing players to download more than 80 GB of additional data before they can actually play the game. This revelation came as a shock to many fans who had pre-ordered the physical copy expecting a fully-contained experience. Adding fuel to the fire, several retailers shipped copies ahead of the official release date, leading to early unboxings and widespread disappointment.

On Twitter (X), user @DoesItPlay1 highlighted the issue, prompting numerous fans to reconsider their purchases. Known for reviewing and advocating for physical game preservation, the account pointed out that the physical edition requires an internet connection to update the game before it becomes playable—a dealbreaker for many collectors and offline players.

The post sparked a heated discussion among fans, many of whom expressed frustration over Bethesda’s decision. Comments flooded in from players who feel that having to rely on an internet connection undermines ownership of the game. Some have decided to cancel their pre-orders altogether, opting instead to wait for the digital release. Many initially preferred owning a physical copy so they could play without needing an internet connection—something that’s no longer possible with this title.

Despite the controversy, some lucky recipients who got their early copies shared positive experiences on Reddit. They praised the game itself, calling it a worthy addition to the series. Here at Game8, we awarded DOOM: The Dark Ages an 88 out of 100, applauding its brutal return to grounded, melee-focused combat. If you want to dive deeper into our thoughts on the game, check out our full review below!