“This allowed us to make a better single-player game.” The creators of DOOM: The Dark Ages sacrificed multiplayer to prioritize epic storytelling and fun. In an exclusive interview with 3DJuegos, id Software described the move as “liberating.”

First revealed during the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, DOOM: The Dark Ages continues to captivate audiences. The latest title from id Software was showcased yesterday at the Xbox Developer Direct, where the studio announced its long-awaited release date and presented new gameplay footage. One of the standout changes in this new installment is the complete removal of multiplayer, a feature present in the 2016 reboot but absent in DOOM Eternal. The reasoning? According to the developers, focusing entirely on the story mode allows for a richer and more ambitious experience.

Studio head Marty Stratton explained at a private event attended by 3DJuegos reporter Alejandro Pascual that eliminating multiplayer freed up resources for more innovative gameplay elements. “We wanted to focus on creating experiences like the robot and the dragon, which feel like mini-games within the campaign,” Stratton said.

Creative director Hugo Martin added that this decision enabled the team to dedicate all their efforts to crafting the most complete campaign in the franchise’s history. While the lack of multiplayer isn’t new, it’s notable. DOOM Eternal initially included plans for an online mode called Invasion, but difficulties in development led to its cancellation in 2021. For The Dark Ages, the studio opted to forgo multiplayer entirely from the start.

Not an Open World Game

Another key detail about DOOM: The Dark Ages is that it won’t feature an open-world structure. While the game will have the largest levels in the series, id Software has clarified that it will maintain a more traditional design, with large exploration areas but without the full freedom of titles like Skyrim or Assassin’s Creed. “It’s definitely not an open-world game, but it is the most expansive world we’ve ever built,” Stratton said.

The gameplay will offer open battlefields and multiple objectives, allowing players to tackle them in any order and choose their progression style. Additionally, the upgrade system has been streamlined, addressing player feedback from DOOM Eternal, where an overload of skills and currencies complicated the experience.

As for the franchise’s future, id Software has not confirmed whether DOOM: The Dark Ages will mark the end of the series. “It’s not meant to be the end of anything,” Martin remarked, hinting at further explorations within the DOOM universe. The game is set to launch on May 15 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, and will be available on Game Pass on day one.