Doom: The Dark Ages has attracted 3 million players since its launch last week, though Bethesda has not disclosed specific sales figures for the game.
According to a Bethesda social media announcement, the game marks id Software's most successful launch in terms of player count, reaching 3 million users seven times faster than 2020's Doom Eternal.
Let’s examine these numbers more closely. Released on May 15, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, Doom: The Dark Ages shows its strongest performance on Steam, the only platform sharing public player data.
On Steam, the game peaked at 31,470 concurrent players, with a 24-hour high of 16,328. Comparatively, Doom Eternal achieved 104,891 peak concurrent players five years ago, while 2016's Doom reached 44,271 at its height. This suggests The Dark Ages may underperform on Steam relative to its predecessors.
However, Game Pass access must be factored in. Available day one on both Xbox and PC Game Pass, many players likely experienced Doom: The Dark Ages through subscription rather than purchasing the $69.99 standalone version.
From Microsoft's perspective, this aligns with their strategy to drive Game Pass subscriptions. Some titles, like $50 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, have sold 2 million copies despite simultaneous Game Pass availability. Could Doom: The Dark Ages' higher price point have deterred some buyers?
This raises another question: While celebrating 3 million players, Bethesda hasn't shared sales data—a pattern seen with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered's 4 million players. Similarly, Ubisoft reported 3 million players for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows without sales specifics.
Only Bethesda and Microsoft know if Doom: The Dark Ages met internal benchmarks. Still, the 3 million player count indicates strong console and Game Pass performance, while Steam numbers appear less impressive.
IGN awarded Doom: The Dark Ages a 9/10, praising: "While departing from Doom Eternal's mobility focus, it introduces a distinct, weightier combat style that feels fresh yet equally satisfying for the franchise."
