DOOM: The Dark Ages Breaks Records Despite Lower Steam Numbers

If you thought the DOOM Slayer was ready to hang up his helmet, think again. Bethesda has revealed that DOOM: The Dark Ages has stormed past 3 million players in its first week—making it the fastest launch in id Software’s history. Yet, while the demon-slaying action is winning hearts, some fans are puzzled by the game’s softer performance on Steam. What’s behind this paradox of explosive reach and muted platform figures?

DOOM: The Dark Ages—Record-Breaking Launch, Lukewarm Steam

Fastest id Software launch ever: 3 million players in under a week, boosted by Game Pass
Critical darling: 85/100 Metacritic, 8/10 User Score, “Very Positive” on Steam
Steam peak behind previous DOOMs: Blame Game Pass Day One and fierce solo-game competition
#1 in UK physical sales charts for launch week; long-term impact still to be seen

Feature	Specification
Publisher	Bethesda Softworks
Release Date	May 14, 2025
Genres	FPS, Action, Adventure
Platforms	PC, Xbox Series X\|S, PlayStation 5

DOOM: The Dark Ages hasn’t just given the franchise a medieval makeover—it’s catapulted the series to new heights. Critics and fans alike are raving about it, with an 85/100 Metacritic score, an 8/10 User Score, and a “Very Positive” reception on Steam. Players are especially taken with the massive battlefields, relentless combat, and new toys like the shield-saw. If you live for monster-mashing mayhem, id’s latest is right up your alley.

DOOM: The Dark Ages - Slayer battling monsters in a vast, medieval arena — The Slayer faces monstrous hordes in expanded, medieval-inspired arenas.

But let’s address the Cyberdemon in the room: DOOM: The Dark Ages’ peak concurrent players on Steam reached just 31,470—behind DOOM (2016)’s 44,271 and DOOM Eternal’s massive 104,891. Some in the community are wondering if the Slayer’s popularity is waning. Is franchise fatigue setting in, or is there a bigger story?

DOOM: The Dark Ages - giant mech combat — Piloting giant mechs brings new scale and spectacle to the DOOM formula.

The real answer is all about Microsoft’s Game Pass. For the first time, DOOM: The Dark Ages launched Day One on Xbox Game Pass, drawing a huge chunk of players away from Steam. Analyst Christopher Dring estimates about 2 million of those players came from Xbox’s ecosystem. Add in a packed release window, with RPG heavyweights like Oblivion Remastered and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 vying for attention, and it’s no surprise Steam stats don’t tell the whole story.

DOOM: The Dark Ages - dragon-riding action — Dragon-riding combat adds unexpected fantasy flair to classic DOOM carnage.

Bethesda is more than happy with the results. On X, the publisher thanked fans for helping make this “the biggest launch in id’s history”—hitting 3 million players seven times faster than DOOM Eternal did. While exact sales numbers remain under wraps, the game has already claimed the top spot in UK physical charts, hinting at strong retail momentum.

So what’s next for DOOM and the Slayer’s medieval rampage? We’ll have to wait for more sales data, but one thing’s certain: the franchise’s appetite for experimentation—whether it’s mechs, dragon mounts, or embracing Game Pass—is giving it reach and buzz that old metrics can’t quite capture.

DOOM: The Dark Ages - first-person combat with shield and saw — New weapon mechanics, like the shield-saw, energize the Slayer’s arsenal.

TL;DR: DOOM: The Dark Ages shattered id Software’s player-count records with 3 million in its opening week, powered by Game Pass and critical acclaim. While Steam numbers lag behind previous entries, broader industry context and a busy release schedule explain the split. The Slayer’s latest outing is a smash hit—and a bold leap for the franchise.

Source: Bethesda Softworks via GamesPress