by Wouter
Doomed to Fail or Doomed to Succeed?
Who doesn’t know DOOM? id Software’s genre defining shooter is as iconic to gaming as Michael Jackson’s Thriller is to music. And with DOOM: The Dark Ages launching May 15 (reviews dropping May 9), it’s a good time to ask: what’s next for one of gaming’s most legendary franchises?
Reflecting on Gaming Communities: Then and Now, DOOM spans over 30 years of evolution. In 1995, the original 1993 release was installed on more PCs than Windows 95. It helped pioneer modding, long before UGC was an marketing buzzword.
So how does Bethesda approach this sequel? Are they still embracing community creativity like in ’93, or are they leaning more into transmedia like they did with Fallout?
With The Dark Ages, Bethesda seems to walk a line: satisfying the legacy fanbase while pushing DOOM into a multi-generational IP. There’s no multiplayer or PvP this time, just pure single-player action but it channels the spirit of what made DOOM great!
It’s also launching on Game Pass, likely hitting millions of downloads fast. And just like DOOM Eternal, it may succeed without loot boxes or micro-transactions, an encouraging sign in today’s games market and the value of a lasting, loyal community.
But the real question is: can DOOM still be played, modded, and memed in wildly creative ways like before? Will it inspire the same sense of ownership in its community that once ported DOOM to everything from Nokia phones to smart fridges?
Bethesda has proven it can build mainstream appeal with Fallout. With DOOM, they continue to fuel core gaming culture. Could this be the version that finally nails the DOOM film adaptation too?
Let me know what you think. Are you ready and hyped for the next DOOM?
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