Key Takeaways
1. Doom: The Dark Ages launched on May 15th, but its player count on Steam is significantly lower than Doom Eternal’s during its launch period.
2. The game’s peak player count is 30,812, compared to Doom Eternal’s 104,891 and Doom 2016’s 44,271.
3. The higher price of Doom: The Dark Ages ($69.99) is a barrier for players, especially when compared to Doom Eternal’s launch price of $39.99.
4. The lack of a multiplayer mode and limited replayability may deter players from purchasing the game, especially given the trend of cheaper AAA titles on Game Pass.
5. High system requirements for Doom: The Dark Ages could also limit its audience, even though those who do play it generally enjoy the game.
The launch of Doom: The Dark Ages appeared to be very promising, as it received good review scores. However, the praise has not yet resulted in a strong player count on Steam. Currently, the new game from id Software is having a hard time reaching the player numbers seen during the launch of Doom Eternal in 2020. The situation might improve as the weekend approaches, but there are several reasons that could be hindering sales of Doom: The Dark Ages.
Launch and Player Count
After its early access period, the game officially launched for everyone on May 15th. Some players in certain time zones could start playing on the night of May 14th. With over 24 hours of data available, the highest Steam player count recorded is 30,812. In contrast, Doom Eternal had already gathered 104,891 players by this time. The Doom reboot from 2016 reached a peak of 44,271 players.
Comparison to Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal was released on a Friday, giving it a boost going into the weekend. Doom: The Dark Ages might see an increase in player numbers in the coming days. However, it faces challenges that its predecessor did not encounter. A significant factor is the price difference: Doom Eternal’s Standard Edition launched at $39.99, while the cheapest version of Doom: The Dark Ages is priced at $69.99. Players outside the U.S., particularly in the UK, are paying even more than what is typical for PC games.
Game Pass and Replay Value
Unlike Doom Eternal, which was not available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, the higher price of $69.99 might be hard for players to justify for a campaign that can be completed in about 12 hours. There are currently no indications of a multiplayer mode being added. Replayability is essential, especially since many AAA titles can be accessed on Game Pass for a lower monthly cost.
Despite receiving positive reviews, the Steam ratings are not enough to boost the new Doom’s sales. Additionally, the high system requirements for Doom: The Dark Ages on PC could be another barrier. Many players who do own the game enjoy it, but encouraging a broader audience to buy it is proving to be a challenge.
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