The iconic Doom series, known for its explosive action and over-the-top weaponry, is preparing to launch its latest installment, Doom: The Dark Ages, amid a rapidly evolving gaming landscape. Originally released in 1993, the franchise has remained a staple in the gaming community, thanks to its enduring popularity and a dedicated fanbase. Originally developed by Dallas-based ID Software, Doom has proven to be an enduring franchise in one of the most fickle industries for the last 27 years.
Doom’s director Hugo Martin is just as hopeful about the early reactions to the game’s unveilings. He said the reception predicted at the conference has turned out to be very positive.
“Players will determine what they want to spend,” Martin stated, highlighting the importance of consumer feedback in shaping the title’s success.
In addition to its fresh aesthetic and gameplay, Doom: The Dark Ages will be available on PC and Xbox through Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription service priced at £14.99 per month. It’s this accessibility that has the potential to bring in new players and retain current fans in ways larger games can’t.
The Doom series is distinguished not only by its compelling gameplay but by its iconic protagonist, The Doom Slayer. Though first appearing back in 1993, he has come to represent the franchise’s do-or-die attitude. The series has audiences on the edge of their seats with thrilling action. It provides major customization suites, providing players extreme freedom to mold their gameplay experience.
Marty Stratton, Doom’s producer, emphasized the game’s pricing strategy, stating, “We think about price when we’re developing it – we obviously want the value to be there for players.” The standard edition of Doom: The Dark Ages is set at £69.99, with a limited Premium Edition available for nearly £100, which includes exclusive extras.
In fact, Stratton makes the case that “free” games are more expensive for players in the long run, despite their initial allure. Instead, he points out, it might be a better investment to steer your dollars towards a high-quality title. He noted that players are able to beat Doom on under 20-hour play-through. This condensed playtime helps to make the game more approachable than so many other sprawling epics out there today.
“When you consider the history of game pricing… it hasn’t gone up much at all,” added Stratton. This point of view reinforces the idea that quality and value should be able to exist simultaneously, even in an intense, competitive market.
The franchise has rightfully received acclaim as one of the most revolutionary and popular franchises in video-game history. It’s doing that by very cleverly evolving, but still keeping its core. The 2016 relaunch of Doom was an incredible success. It enchanted a new generation of musicians and thrilled nostalgic veterans of the original game.
Rhys Elliot, yet another influential member of the dev team, noted the role competition plays in driving the industry forward. “There’s so much stuff competing for our attention these days, whether it’s games, movies, or whatever,” he said. He said he was optimistic that more competition would lead to a better outcome for consumers, providing them with more choice in the end.
In recent years, Doom has leaned heavily into customization, allowing players to fine-tune various elements and difficulty aspects of their gameplay experience. This way of thinking invites both digital ninjas and Luddite curmudgeons. It’s meant to be beginner-friendly, but challenging and interesting for old pros as well.
“In that regard I think it’s going to be a great first-time experience for a lot of fans,” he asserted. The development team is still dedicated to releasing a distinguished experience that players can connect with.
Even as the gaming landscape shifts around it Doom is unapologetic, unwilling to stray from its singular path of creating some of the best single-player experiences out there. “I think there’s obviously still a place for a good, premium, highly polished, fun single-player game,” Martin concluded.