DOOM: The Dark Ages had the lowest Steam launch numbers in series history — Is it suffering from the ‘Game Pass Effect’?

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Last week saw the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages, which has been receiving outstanding reviews. Even our own Brendan Lowry gave it a perfect score, praising its innovative take on classic DOOM gameplay and exceptional visual design. Yet, amidst all the praise, there’s a touch of melancholy associated with DOOM.

Over the weekend, the game had approximately 31,000 players playing simultaneously. This is around 13,000 fewer than when DOOM was first released in 2016. Moreover, it falls short of a third compared to the number of players DOOM: Eternal attracted.

Despite neither game being available on Game Pass, one might question if the Xbox subscription service is responsible for their lower performance on Steam. After all, why spend $70 when you can acquire it for just $12 via PC Game Pass?

A look at Clair Obscur and Oblivion

Despite belonging to different genres, both games were launched on the same platform and became available through Game Pass around the same time. Notably, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered drew in over 216,000 concurrent players, whereas Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 garnered approximately 145,000 players simultaneously.

These games still hold audiences of 40,000 and 60,000 players, respectively. So what gives?

A reduced number of players might stem from various factors. It’s worth noting that none of the previous DOOM games have been made available on Game Pass, but it’s also important to consider that opinions about the latest melee combat style are divided among gamers.

On the downside, both Clair Obscur and Oblivion remain captivating choices for many gamers, potentially diverting them from DOOM. With numerous engaging games available, it seems they prefer to explore new horizons rather than switch right away.

To put it simply, I find that multiple factors seem to be hindering DOOM: The Dark Ages for me, with the gameplay experience emerging as the most significant issue. Despite my admiration for DOOM: The Dark Ages up until now, it’s not living up to the same impact as the previous games did for me.

In the previous versions of DOOM, there was a mix of music, shooting, and fast-paced action. However, in this new version, there’s a more deliberate, powerful destruction instead. It’s entertaining, I must admit, but it’s not the kind of experience I’m personally seeking when playing DOOM. What I desire is a version that offers heavy rock music and precise first-person shooter gameplay.

Have you ever wondered why DOOM: The Dark Ages seems to have a lower number of plays on Steam compared to its earlier versions?

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2025-05-19 12:09