"it's going to be a great first-time experience for a lot of fans."
There’s something strangely timeless about Doom.
It might be the thundering metal soundtrack, the relentless pace, or the catharsis of ripping demons apart with a chainsaw.
But in 2025, one of gaming’s oldest legends is once again fighting for relevance in a world dominated by free-to-play juggernauts and streaming subscriptions.
Doom: The Dark Ages, the latest instalment from ID Software, arrives at a time when attracting players has never been harder – or more expensive.
Yet for the team behind it, Doom still offers something no battle royale or live-service title can: a tightly built, premium experience with old-school conviction and new-world ambitions.
Doom vs Modern Gaming
When Doom first launched in 1993, it redefined the First-Person Shooter (FPS) genre.
Today, it’s no longer alone at the top. Free-to-play (F2P) games like Fortnite and Roblox, and annual franchises such as Call of Duty and EA FC, dominate most-played charts.
According to Ofcom’s Online Nation report, five of the ten most-played games are F2P.
In May 2024 alone, Fortnite boasted 2.65 million active UK users, while Roblox reached 1.22 million.
Their global numbers are even higher – a reality Doom must now face head-on.
Marty Stratton, Doom‘s executive producer, said:
“There’s so much stuff competing for our attention these days, whether it’s games, movies, or whatever.”
Games that cost nothing up front are hard to beat, especially when they evolve constantly to keep players hooked.
Why Doom Still Cuts Through
Unlike most live-service titles, Doom: The Dark Ages doesn’t ask for years of commitment.
That, argues Marty, is precisely the point:
“It doesn’t have to become your obsession for the next two years.”
With a focused campaign that can be completed in under 20 hours, it offers players a self-contained experience, a rarity in today’s industry.
It helps that Doom remains a recognisable name with a fanbase forged over three decades. But even that legacy has limits.
Rhys Elliot, an industry expert from Alinea Analytics, puts it bluntly:
“The people who make games – they still need to make revenues each year because, you know, capitalism.”
In other words, heritage alone won’t pay the bills. Premium titles like Doom need new blood.
A New Setting for New Players
To draw fresh interest, Doom: The Dark Ages shifts the franchise’s tone and setting, embracing a “Medieval sci-fi” world, with more grounded, armour-clad aesthetics and even some changes to gameplay flow.
According to game director Hugo Martin, it’s working:
“We see it in the comments – a lot of people are saying ‘I think this is going to be my first Doom’, and that’s exciting for us.”
The team has also focused on customisation, allowing players to tailor difficulty and gameplay elements, a nod to modern gaming trends and accessibility expectations.
Hugo added: “In that regard, I think it’s going to be a great first-time experience for a lot of fans.”
Costs
Despite its modern updates, Doom: The Dark Ages is still a traditional premium game, with a traditional price tag.
The standard edition costs £69.99, while the limited Premium Edition pushes that figure closer to £100.
That might seem like a lot, but Marty believes it’s justified.
“When you look at the history of game pricing… it really hasn’t skyrocketed.”
In 2010, a new game cost about £40. Adjusted for inflation, that’s £60 today, not far off current prices.
And unlike F2P titles, there are no extra costs tucked behind progress walls or loot boxes.
Marty continued: “You’re not going to be asked to pay anything else, two hours in.”
F2P models generate money through in-game purchases, and those microtransactions can add up.
A 2024 survey by TSB found that regular players spend about £22 a month on them.
Value beyond the Price Tag
While that’s less than a new AAA release, Hugo argues that people will still pay for something carefully crafted.
“Typically, if you just make a really good game, then people will want to play it again.”
That “curated experience” is where Doom hopes to shine.
It’s not just about selling a disc or download, it’s about replayability, polish, and artistic intent.
Rhys expects the industry to experiment more with pricing, bundles and early-access fees to test what fans will pay.
One model already in use is Game Pass.
Doom: The Dark Ages will launch on Microsoft’s subscription service, which costs £14.99 per month. For those who want a head start, there’s a £34.99 upgrade that unlocks the game early and includes extra content.
It’s an approach designed for the superfans, while casual players can wait and buy the game later, sometimes at a deep discount.
Rhys said: “You can pick up the first 2016 Doom game for like £4 right now.”
Still, the developers believe they’re offering something worth buying at full price.
Marty added: “We think about price when we’re developing it – we obviously want the value to be there for players.
“Ultimately, it’s a market. Players will determine what they want to spend.”
The video game landscape of 2025 is not the one Doom was born into.
Streaming platforms, free-to-play economies and massive live-service worlds now dominate the attention economy.
Yet Doom’s creators remain confident. They believe there’s still room for a game that’s built to be played, not endlessly updated or monetised.
Hugo said: “I think there’s obviously still a place for a good, premium, highly polished, fun single-player game.”
It might not be the biggest title in your gaming library, but Doom’s latest chapter is proof that old-school experiences still matter, especially when they’re crafted with the right mix of respect for tradition and readiness for change.
And if The Dark Ages is anything to go by, the Doom Slayer still has plenty of demons left to conquer.
Loading ...