Talk about unveiling the upcoming Doom title "DOOM: The Dark Ages" at the Xbox Games Showcase!
Talk about unveiling the upcoming Doom title "DOOM: The Dark Ages" at the Xbox Games Showcase!
Hello!
It seems that the earlier insider disclosures and whispers are finally coming to pass, as the upcoming addition to the DOOM series is scheduled to be unveiled at this year’s Xbox Games Showcase on June 9, 2024.
The next chapter for Doomguy is on the horizon!
Development began with a placeholder name “Year Zero” nearly four years back, but now it looks like “DOOM: The Dark Ages” could be the final title. This latest version of Doom has been confirmed by well-known editors Tom Warren from The Verge and Tom Henderson from Insider Gaming.
Additionally, a recent trademark submission by Bethesda/ZeniMax included a mysterious codename “IDKFA,” which is widely recognized among DOOM enthusiasts as the franchise’s long-standing cheat code. This adds further clarity to the situation.
https://trademarks.justia.com/983/49/idk...49237.html
The new game is described as following a “medieval-inspired world” and seems to be a prequel or origin story for Doomguy.
Unfortunately, details about this upcoming title remain limited. It’s expected to utilize the next generation of the id Tech Engine and focus on current-gen platforms. I’m eager to see what id Software has planned.
Last year, court records from the FTC v Microsoft case also showed a Doom project under the name “Year Zero,” suggesting a possible prequel for the Doom Slayer in the near future.
“Microsoft hopes new announcements will revive DOOM on Xbox,” says Tom Warren of The Verge.
We won’t have to wait long if these rumors prove true, as the showcase is set for June 9.
https://twitter.com/x/status/1785308276063633588
View: https://x.com/Xbox/status/1785308276063633588
https://twitter.com/x/status/1794076679029051581
View: https://x.com/_Tom_Henderson_/status/179...9029051581
https://twitter.com/x/status/1793993152367407580
View: https://x.com/_Tom_Henderson_/status/179...2367407580
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLPkVRw3uMQ&t=1s
A screenshot from the canceled “Doom 4” version was taken, which was supposed to be in development but ultimately fell through. Doom 4 was originally set on Earth and featured gameplay similar to Call of Duty titles. During its development, id Software realized this direction wasn’t right and decided to halt production.
“verum consilium” – ID Software!
https://twitter.com/x/status/1631384149658312729
View: https://x.com/VideoGameArch/status/1631384149658312729
https://twitter.com/x/status/1793355548391358514
View: https://x.com/Runhob/status/1793355548391358514
https://twitter.com/x/status/1793437986442351032
Is this going to be a pure platformer?!
Doom 2016 was fine, but Doom Eternal leaned too heavily into platforming and parkour. Who knew what was missing? It felt like mixing it with Mario 64, which was popular at the time!
The atmosphere and music were still great, but instead of constant action, you had to find your way through sections requiring jumps and runs that pulled you away from the main experience. Things like double jumps and dash jumps were needed just to move forward, not for hidden content or extra features.
We haven’t gathered any specifics yet, but I share your thoughts.
Doom Eternal included too many platforming and parkour elements, and I didn’t really enjoy playing it. Doom 2016 offered a more balanced approach to gameplay, providing ample ammo and allowing you to rely on your preferred weapon. In contrast, Doom Eternal had tighter ammo limits and fewer resources scattered throughout the levels. I had to rely more on using glory and chainsaw kills.
Overall, I felt Doom 2016 had stronger resource management systems.
The developers shifted Eternal into a more action-oriented, superhero-style experience. The interface and HUD also seemed overly bright and flashy for my liking.
Eternal took a different direction, moving away from classic FPS mechanics toward something more modern.
Doom 3 still stands out as the top FPS in the series, though I won’t consider it without acknowledging the original DOOM 1 and 2, which laid the foundation for this genre.
Of course, opinions vary—some might strongly disagree, but it’s all about personal preference, right?
This isn’t a criticism of Doom Eternal. It could be an excellent title for others, and it definitely helped me through the pandemic. Still, I’m eager for the next installment to revive the franchise and bring back some nostalgic moments.
Amen.
I was really looking forward to a sequel or a spiritual follow-up for DOOM 3. Personally, I disliked the DOOM series—only saw it as a fast-paced, childish shooter.
When I started DOOM 3, I had no prior knowledge of the franchise; it was just a chance to test my $3000 PC while others stuck with older consoles. DOOM 3 seemed to be reduced in quality because graphics cards lacked sufficient memory. But for me, it offered 20 minutes of captivating atmosphere and intrigue, followed by about four hours of dull, repetitive monster battles. That was really disappointing.
DOOM 3 gave me a glimpse into an imagined game set in an alternate universe—perhaps on Mars or another alien planet, with stunning visuals, a rich atmosphere, maybe a dystopian backdrop featuring massive corporations, and an original story with deep themes like loneliness, isolation, and existentialism. These elements were missing from D3, except for rare hints suggesting a more advanced and refined experience hidden from most players.
However, DOOM 3 felt like it was built on cutting-edge technology, and playing such a high-end title at 21 inches, 1600x1200 resolution, 4xAA, with an impressive sound system late at night alone, was something special.
Unfortunately, what came after that turned out to be a complete mess—just mindless, thoughtless mainstream storytelling. I doubt it will change, and I’ll never fully understand why.
I don't believe it was just ordinary, repetitive platforming once you start noticing the subtle details that pushed it past simple jumps and grabs. This perspective comes from someone who initially thought they couldn't handle it. After mastering timing jumps and dashes, and utilizing the meathook, portals, monkey bars, and vortexes, I really enjoyed the experience. In fact, I progressed from struggling with longer, more distant sequences to being able to skip them efficiently.
During this process, I participated in a walkthrough playthrough focusing on navigating the game on Nightmare without relying on rapid weapon switching or complex aerial combat. It was designed for players like me who initially found the game challenging. Explore some guides on maximizing the meathook, such as those by Under The Mayo, and you'll see how much more you can achieve in the game.
I completed it at normal difficulty (up to the knees), not because I couldn’t manage it, but because I didn’t want to play in an FPS game, especially one meant for action. At the point where they leave you at the start of a level and there’s no clear path forward, I almost stopped playing after realizing I needed to check the map for a possible route. Finding a way wasn’t difficult, but it really bothered me. The second place, where I quit for a while, was in a lava level with jumping dash moves around spinning columns and fire projectiles. Doom only solves puzzles with his shotgun!
LOL, I thought half the goal of the platforming is the mental challenge involved. It might slow things down at first, but it’s worth it for what you can achieve once you get the hang of it. Talking about Shotguns and fire, I didn’t really enjoy Super Gore Nest until I saw what the Super Shotgun’s Meathook can do in certain situations. After exiting the labs, there are firepits and a Revenant that I used to have to quickly kill or dodge to avoid getting badly damaged. Then I began double jumping over lava pools, grabbing onto him with the Meathook, and using a dash to reach the higher level. Now you not only regain your flow but also get a big grin on your face! 😀
I haven't played any of the DLCs for Doom Eternal yet, including the Ancient Gods - Part One and Part Two expansions. I'll consider getting them if they're worth it. Both received mixed reviews from players, with many finding Part One more challenging than Part Two.