According to a report from Alinea Analytics, DOOM: The Dark Ages has sold an estimated 800,000 copies across all platforms since launch—falling short of the 1 million milestone by the time the announcement was made. While this number might seem solid in isolation, it’s notably low for a flagship AAA title backed by three major industry players and part of one of gaming’s most iconic first-person shooter franchises.
Sales are reportedly split across platforms with 200,000 copies sold on PlayStation 5, 200,000 on Xbox, and 400,000 on Steam. A significant number of additional players are accessing the game through Xbox Game Pass, paying just $12 monthly instead of the $70 full retail price—a win for Microsoft’s subscription model, but a challenge for developers trying to recoup development costs and turn a profit.
However, pricing isn’t the only issue drawing criticism. Many players have expressed growing frustration with the game’s steep system requirements, particularly on PC. Known for its fast-paced, optimized gameplay in previous entries, the latest DOOM now demands high-end hardware, leaving a portion of the franchise’s long-time fanbase either unable or unwilling to upgrade just to play it. When combined with the already controversial $80 price tag, these barriers are pushing more players toward Game Pass—or away from the game entirely.
Yes, these issues alone may not be enough to explain the disappointing sales. But at this point, it’s worth asking the uncomfortable question: is DOOM beginning to lose its community over time? Once defined by its loyal fanbase and genre-defining gameplay, the franchise now faces a changing landscape of player expectations, rising costs, and technical hurdles. The underwhelming launch of The Dark Ages may be a sign that even legendary franchises are no longer immune to market fatigue.
As the dust settles, DOOM: The Dark Ages finds itself at a crossroads—bolstered by Game Pass exposure but facing a tougher road to long-term success. Whether id Software can turn things around and reignite the fire that once defined the franchise remains to be seen.
