With the latest announcement, Doom fans are buzzing: Doom: The Dark Ages is set to hit shelves on May 15, 2025. This highly-anticipated release marks the third installment in the ‘nu-Doom’ series from the legendary id Software. Interestingly, this new game serves as a prequel to the celebrated Doom (2016) and will break away from a trend set by both the first reboot and 2020’s Doom Eternal. Brace yourselves, because this time around, there won’t be a multiplayer component.
During a roundtable discussion with id Software’s Marty Stratton, the studio director, and Hugo Martin, the creative director, both veterans of the Doom franchise confirmed the absence of multiplayer in Doom: The Dark Ages.
“We decided to pour all our energy into the campaign,” Martin explained when asked about the decision to forego the multiplayer option, which was featured in both Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal. “Focusing solely on the single-player aspect has allowed us to elevate this facet of Dark Ages significantly.”
In addition to the intense campaign, players can expect more than just the traditional battle stance of the Doom Slayer. Thanks to the concentrated effort on single-player development, gamers will encounter breathtaking sequences, including riding in “a 30-story Atlan mech” and facing off against a “fire-breathing, gatling-gun-toting cyber dragon.” Yes, you heard that right.
Stratton expressed his excitement, noting, “The chance to include the Atlan is something we’ve wanted for the past two games.” For those not fully caught up in the Doom lore, Atlans are colossal bipedal war machines utilized by the Night Sentinels against Hell’s forces. If you’ve played previous Doom titles, you might recall seeing their inanimate remains.
Both Stratton and Martin were visibly thrilled at the unveiling of the mech for Doom: The Dark Ages, emphasizing that allowing more development time on the single-player front made it possible for the Doom Slayer to pilot one of these mammoth machines.
Furthermore, the developers boast that this game features the “largest play space ever in a Doom game.” Players will have their hands full exploring bonus dungeons, hidden caves, and engaging in optional battles that deviate from the main path. As Martin excitedly put it, “You set the pace of the game. You decide where you want to explore, who to fight, and which objectives to pursue.” Once again, they credit the freedom to focus entirely on the single-player mode for the immense depth and content that’s been infused into the game’s story and world.
In a gaming landscape often dominated by multiplayer games and live-service models, it’s refreshing to see a major developer dedicate so many resources to a robust single-player experience. Perhaps it’s a model that industry giants like Sony and Blizzard might take inspiration from in the near future.
Doom: The Dark Ages will be available on May 15. It will launch on Xbox Game Pass for both PC and Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5 users won’t be left out, as the game will be available on that platform too.
