Since its release last week, Doom: The Dark Ages has attracted an impressive 3 million players, marking it as the biggest launch in id Software's history by player count. Bethesda proudly announced that this milestone was achieved seven times faster than Doom Eternal in 2020. Released on May 15, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, the game has made a significant impact, though Bethesda has yet to reveal specific sales figures.

Analyzing the player numbers, we can start with Steam, where Doom: The Dark Ages reached a peak concurrent player count of 31,470, with a 24-hour peak of 16,328. This contrasts with Doom Eternal's peak of 104,891 and the original Doom from 2016, which saw a peak of 44,271. Despite these figures, the influence of Game Pass must be considered, as Doom: The Dark Ages launched day-one on Xbox and PC Game Pass. This accessibility could explain the lower numbers on Steam, as many players might have opted for the subscription service rather than purchasing the game outright at its $69.99 price point in the U.S.

From Microsoft's perspective, this could be seen as a success, as it aligns with their strategy to boost Game Pass subscriptions. However, other games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have demonstrated strong sales alongside a Game Pass launch, selling 2 million copies despite also being available on the service. This raises questions about whether the higher price of Doom: The Dark Ages might have deterred some potential buyers.

Bethesda's decision to announce player counts rather than sales figures is notable. A similar approach was taken with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which saw 4 million players, and Ubisoft's Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, also reporting 3 million players. Only Bethesda and Microsoft have insight into whether Doom: The Dark Ages has met its internal targets, but the high player count suggests strong performance, particularly on consoles and through Game Pass, despite a less robust showing on Steam.

IGN's review of Doom: The Dark Ages awarded it a 9/10, praising its shift from the mobility-centric gameplay of Doom Eternal to a more weighty and powerful style that remains highly satisfying.