Hey everyone! Hugo Martin here, Game Director for Doom: The Dark Ages. I’m checking in from the id Software headquarters, where our team is putting the final touches on this latest addition to the series. We’re super excited for you to dive into it soon. In the meantime, we’ve got some fresh gameplay footage for you. There’s plenty to unpack from the video, so let’s dive in. I’m sure you’ve got questions, so let me try to give you some more insight…
### What’s the new combat loop in Dark Ages, and how’s it different from Eternal or Doom (2016)?
At a high level, you might think of it as a mix of the two earlier games, but with a twist—this time we’re bringing in a medieval toolkit. Our aim is to blend the depth you loved in Eternal with the straightforward controls of Doom (2016). In Eternal, you had a variety of cool moves, each with its own input. In Dark Ages, we’re bringing in a fresh set of medieval moves but simplifying the controls, so you don’t have to memorize too many buttons.
The key to combining depth and simplicity is how items like the Shield-Saw behave differently depending on what they hit. It’s all about context. For example, the shield will bounce off plasma shields to hit other enemies—super satisfying, I promise—stick into flesh to stun bigger demons, or shatter armor with an AOE blast, all with just one button press.
Think of it like a guitar; we’ve got fewer strings, but we’ve added frets, so you still have depth and a new challenge to master. We’re sticking with familiar FPS inputs for these maneuvers, giving the action an intuitive feel. The moves feel powerful and fun to execute, while also being strategic and clever.
### What do the “rings” around enemies indicate?
Those yellow rings circling enemies? They’re falter indicators. In both Eternal and Doom (2016), players figured out how to stack attacks to stagger tough enemies. It’s a tactic we hoped players would discover and it worked! In Dark Ages, we’re making it clearer when an enemy falters to encourage more players to experiment with what causes it and how they can use it. While you don’t have to rely on falters, on higher difficulty levels, it gives you a crucial edge. If you’re planning to tackle Ultra Nightmare, you’ll need all the advantages you can get!
### More story in Doom?
Absolutely! Dark Ages focuses on three main aspects: combat, exploration, and story—each offering a reason to play. While players might not be looking for just any story in Doom, they’re interested in a compelling one. A strong narrative enhances the power fantasy and drives you to push through the campaign. With story elements, we can craft bigger baddies, create vast worlds to explore, and present tough challenges.
Here’s a quick story snapshot: With the Slayer imprisoned at the start of Dark Ages, the balance between good and evil is teetering, and time is running out. Our hero stands as a feared outsider among desperate people, his might controlled by the gods they worship, as an ancient evil threatens their world.
This game, a prequel in the Doom Universe timeline, begins at the start of the Slayer’s journey with the Sentinels. He’s the outlander, blessed by the Maykrs, the Sentinel’s deities. Now, this subjugated warrior stands as the mighty weapon in a medieval battle against hell’s forces.
### When does it come out?
May 15, 2025! We’re thrilled for you to experience what we hope will be the pinnacle of Doom games. It’s jam-packed with intense combat, a slew of exploration opportunities, and a gripping story that beautifully fits the Slayer’s legacy. Plus, there are encounters with the Atlan, a giant Doom mech, and even a Dragon to look forward to!
Thanks for tuning in, and stay tuned for more updates!
