DOOM: The Dark Ages
News, coverage and analysis tracking DOOM: The Dark Ages across the outlets.
Latest coverage
"A dried husk of a product": former Doom producer berates Microsoft for making Halo a "mid-tier" game and mourns the "financialisation" of AAA
Former Doom producer Andrew Willis criticizes Microsoft's management of franchises like Halo, arguing that the "financialisation" of AAA game development leads to a "dried husk of a product" and brand exhaustion. He contrasts this with Nintendo's perceived brand protection strategy and laments the displacement of creatives by executives focused on short-term gains.
Xbox Game Pass is "extremely poorly managed" and Doom should never have been part of it, says former producer
Former id Software producer Andrew Willis describes Xbox Game Pass as "extremely poorly managed" with a lack of foresight and understanding of the consumer market. He argues that Doom should not have been included on the service, suggesting its inclusion negatively impacted sales and contributed to id Software's layoffs. Willis believes Microsoft struggles to define and measure the success of Game Pass, leading to flawed business decisions.
In a big change for Blizzard, it sounds like the new StarCraft shooter won't be a live-service game
Blizzard has revealed that the new StarCraft game, slated for release in 2030, will be a narrative-driven, open-world shooter with a definitive beginning, middle, and end, departing from the company's recent focus on live-service titles. Project leader Dan Hay described it as a 'box product' that players can purchase and experience fully, with opportunities to explore the world and engage in activities at their own pace between story missions. While acknowledging StarCraft's legacy as an RTS, Blizzard is carefully considering future directions for the franchise.
Fanatical Is Giving Away Another 2TB Steam Machine, And It Only Takes A $1 Mystery Key To Enter
Fanatical is hosting a giveaway where customers can enter for a chance to win a 2TB Steam Machine and Steam Controller by purchasing a $1 mystery key. Each key also provides a Steam game, with potential for grand prizes like $1,000 worth of games or keys to new releases.
Former id Software producer says the team faced the 'worst crunch' in the series' history on Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations: 'There were days where I didn't see my son'
Former id Software producer Andrew Willis revealed that the team experienced severe crunch conditions while developing Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations, describing it as the worst in the series' history. This intense period of overwork, which included days of 12-17 hour shifts, occurred shortly before many developers on the expansion team were laid off by Xbox. The article also touches on the game's sales performance relative to Doom Eternal and the studio's overall health post-layoffs.
The majority of Doom: The Dark Ages' DLC got made 'in three or four months'
Former Id Software producer Andrew Willis described the development of Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations DLC as extremely brutal, with significant crunch time required to complete the majority of the game in three to four months. Willis reported working at least 12 hours daily for two months, with some days reaching 17 hours, and noted that many team members considered it the worst crunch they had experienced. This news follows recent layoffs at Id Software, impacting many developers who had worked on previous titles.
Laid off id Software developer says crunch on Doom: The Dark Ages' Revelations DLC was "brutal" with up to 17-hour days
A former id Software developer described the crunch for Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations DLC as "brutal," with days reaching up to 17 hours. This developer, Andrew Willis, was subsequently laid off by Microsoft along with many other id Software employees shortly after the DLC's release. The article highlights the intense working conditions and the subsequent job losses impacting the studio.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Exclusivity Question Avoided by Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and other executives have avoided clarifying the exclusivity status of The Elder Scrolls 6. While acknowledging the need for exclusive content, Sharma stated that the game is 'beautiful' when pressed on the matter, and other Xbox strategists have indicated a continued commitment to exclusives.
I got my greasy mitts on a host of RTX Spark laptops running, what else, games at Gamescom 2026—and there's a…
At Gamescom 2026, Nvidia showcased new RTX Spark laptops featuring their custom Arm-based SOC with RTX Blackwell GPU cores, promising performance comparable to RTX 5070. Several manufacturers, including Asus and Dell, demonstrated these laptops running games like Arc Raiders and Doom: The Dark Ages at high frame rates, with Nvidia's frame generation technology in use. While specific pricing and configurations remain undisclosed, the article highlights the Asus ProArt P14 and Dell XPS 16 Creator Edition as impressive models, contrasting them with the less compelling Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 21: The Humble Store Summer Sale continues
This article rounds up various PC game deals available from multiple digital storefronts, including Humble Store, Battle.net, GamesPlanet, Ubisoft Store, Green Man Gaming, Epic Games Store, Amazon Luna, Fanatical, Gamebillet, GOG.com, and Steam. Notable sales include Humble Store's Summer Sale, Battle.net's August Game Deals, and Ubisoft's Gamescom sale, featuring discounts on a wide range of titles.
Marty Stratton says id Software is 'all in on id Tech' following Xbox layoffs
Despite recent layoffs at Xbox, id Software producer Marty Stratton confirmed the studio is "all in on id Tech" and has no plans to switch to Unreal Engine. This statement comes after speculation about the studio's future following significant staff reductions.
Weekend Console Download Deals for Aug. 14: Ready, Set, Play!
This weekend's console deals include sales on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch titles. Notable discounts feature Black Myth: Wukong on PlayStation and Xbox, alongside various Capcom and Annapurna Interactive titles on Nintendo Switch. PlayStation Plus members can also access free games like Big Walk and Dying Light 2: Stay Human.
I love this controller's sugary sweet design, but you can get a great Pro pad for less money
The GameSir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl controller offers a charming design and advanced features like TMR sticks and Hall effect triggers, along with wireless compatibility for PC and Xbox. However, its $90/£100 price point is higher than comparable Pro controllers like the GameSir G7 Pro Tri-Mode, and its ergonomic design may not suit smaller hands. While it excels in connectivity and software customization, the value proposition is questionable for those not prioritizing its specific aesthetic or wireless Xbox features.
Xbox leadership's words are drowned out by their actions
Despite assurances from Xbox leadership, the company's actions, including mass layoffs and studio closures, paint a grim picture for its talent and future projects. While executives like Asha Sharma mention upcoming games like The Elder Scrolls 6, these words are seen as empty promises contrasting with the reality of job cuts at studios like id Software and Bethesda.
Control Resonant Has No Parry Mechanic And I Don’t Know How To Feel About That
Control Resonant will not feature a parry mechanic, as developer Remedy Entertainment aims for a fast-paced combat system where offense is the primary defense. While the studio experimented with parrying, they found it slowed down the action. The game launches September 24, with a digital deluxe edition offering early access on PlayStation 5.
'Thank you so much for the best weekend ever': The id Software gang got together at QuakeCon, and it sure looks like everyone had a great time
The id Software co-founders Adrian Carmack, John Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero reunited at QuakeCon for the game's 30th anniversary, marking their first gathering since 1994. Despite past internal conflicts and recent industry layoffs, the reunion was described as a highly positive and emotional experience by attendees, including former employees like American McGee and Donna Jackson.
Dev at id Software says Microsoft 'burned a lot of bridges' in the industry: 'They fundamentally don't understand art, they don't understand games'
Chris Hays, lead services programmer at id Software, criticized Microsoft's handling of recent layoffs, stating the company "fundamentally don't understand art, they don't understand games." He described the process as "inhumane" and "demoralizing," leading to a significant loss of talent and expertise within the studio. Hays believes Microsoft has "burned a lot of bridges" and damaged its reputation, making future recruitment and trust difficult.
id Software Lead Programmer Says “Morale Has Never Been Lower” Following Layoffs
id Software lead programmer Chris Hays stated that morale at the studio is at an all-time low following recent layoffs, calling the process "inhumane." He criticized executives for not understanding game development and expressed concern about the studio's ability to create AAA games with reduced staff. Hays believes the studio is fundamentally changed by the loss of its people.
Bethesda 40th anniversary sale knocks 50% off Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations just a month after launch
Bethesda is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a major sale on Steam, featuring discounts of up to 67% on many of its titles, including subsidiaries id Software and Arkane Studios. Notably, the recently released Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations expansion is 50% off, just one month after its launch. This sale occurs amidst recent layoffs at Bethesda Game Studios, Zenimax Online, and id Software, and concerns about Arkane Studios' future following Microsoft's acquisition.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 7: Steam Cyberpunk Fest
This weekend's PC gaming deals include a Steam Cyberpunk Fest featuring discounts on titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Deus Ex games. Several storefronts like Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and Humble Bundle are also offering significant sales on various games, with some titles available for free. Additionally, Ubisoft is celebrating 25 years of Ghost Recon with deep discounts and a free trial for Ghost Recon Wildlands.
