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Everything you need to know about id Software’s upcoming title, Doom The Dark Ages, and whether it has a multiplayer mode or not.
The release of Doom The Dark Ages, the upcoming new entry in developer id Software’s iconic first-person shooter, is right around the corner. Although the game is technically a prequel to the previous two mainline Doom entries (Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal), it’s built as a culmination of the best aspects of modern games while also offering a fresh new take on the series’ fast-paced arcade shooter gameplay.
According to id Software, the latest Doom title also features a heavy emphasis on storytelling. This was one aspect that was mostly missing from the previous entries. While Doom Eternal did feature quite a few cutscenes, most of its storytelling was done via Codex Entries.
However, with the increased focus on the story and the single-player experience, some players might be wondering whether the upcoming Doom game will feature a multiplayer mode or not, akin to Doom Eternal’s Battlemode. Unfortunately, Doom The Dark Ages does not have a dedicated multiplayer mode. However, there’s a very compelling reason behind the game’s lack of a multiplayer mode.
Why Does Doom The Dark Ages Not Have A Multiplayer Mode?
According to id Software, Doom The Dark Ages’ lack of a dedicated multiplayer mode is in service of its single-player aspect. While both Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal featured robust multiplayer modes, those were mostly ignored by the majority of players. Doom, at its core, is a franchise that’s at its best when it comes to single-player arcade shooting. While the multiplayer aspects of the Doom games were quite fleshed out and enjoyable, those were never the highlights of the experience. With Doom Eternal, id Software did try to deliver a robust multiplayer gameplay loop, especially with the Battlemode 2.0 and the seasonal content updates.
However, it wasn’t enough to make the game stand out among other competitive multiplayer shooters. Instead, the most memorable and replayed aspects of the modern Doom games were the single-player campaigns (and the Master Levels). As such, it’s understandable why id Software chose to omit the multiplayer this time around. That being said, id Software has a good track record of supporting their games post-launch.
Doom Eternal got two years of regular updates, including story DLCs (The Ancient Gods) and Master Levels. They even added an entire “Horde Mode” to Doom Eternal after multiple requests from fans. As such, it’s very much possible that multiplayer is still on the cards for Doom The Dark Ages, just not at release.
When Is Doom The Dark Ages Releasing?
Doom The Dark Ages is scheduled to be released on May 15, 2025. Developed using id Tech 8, the game is coming exclusively to current-gen systems, i.e., PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Additionally, pre-ordering the Premium Edition allows you to play the title roughly 48 hours early (May 13, 2025).
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