Since its release last week, Doom: The Dark Ages has reached an impressive milestone of 3 million players, marking it as the largest player-count launch in id Software’s history. This achievement came seven times faster than Doom Eternal’s debut in 2020. While Bethesda hasn’t disclosed official sales figures, the game’s performance speaks volumes about its popularity.
Released on May 15, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, Doom: The Dark Ages made headlines with its rapid growth in player numbers. However, due to Steam being the sole platform to publicly share player counts, we can analyze the game’s performance there. On Steam, the title peaked at 31,470 concurrent players, with a 24-hour peak of 16,328. In comparison, Doom Eternal reached 104,891 concurrent players in 2020, while the original Doom from 2016 had a peak of 44,271.
One significant factor influencing these numbers is the inclusion of Doom: The Dark Ages on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass from day one. This subscription model likely brought in a substantial number of players who tried the game without purchasing it outright. For instance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, priced at $50, sold over 2 million copies despite its availability on Game Pass. Given Doom: The Dark Ages’ higher price tag of $69.99, it’s possible that some potential buyers were deterred, especially those on tighter budgets.
Bethesda has celebrated the 3 million player milestone, similar to its approach with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivian Remastered and Ubisoft’s announcement for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. Although exact sales figures remain undisclosed, the numbers indicate strong performance on consoles and through Game Pass, while possibly facing challenges on Steam.
IGN awarded Doom: The Dark Ages a glowing 9/10 review, praising its unique gameplay mechanics that replace the mobility-focused style of Doom Eternal with a heavier, more impactful playstyle. Critics agree that the game delivers an immensely satisfying experience, further validating its appeal among fans.
