Doom: The Dark Ages

82 / 100ShooterMay 15, 2025

A single-player first-person shooter and prequel to Doom (2016). Set in the dark medieval world of Argent D'Nur, players control the Doom Slayer in a grounded, weighty combat style that emphasizes strategic engagements over the acrobatic mobility of previous entries. The game introduces a Shield Saw for blocking and parrying, new melee weapons, and drivable vehicles including a cybernetic dragon and a massive mech. The narrative focuses on the Slayer's origin story with expanded cutscenes and character development.

Xbox Series X|SPC (Microsoft Windows)PlayStation 5

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Doom: The Dark Ages Devs Endured "Worst Crunch" in Series History on Revelations DLC

Former id Software developers are speaking out about the brutal working conditions endured during production of Doom: The Dark Ages' expansion-sized DLC, "Revelations." According to multiple laid-off team members, the crunch was described as the worst in the franchise's history, with staff regularly logging 60 to 80 hour weeks and some pulling shifts as long as 17 hours a day. One former producer revealed that there were two consecutive months where they worked a minimum of 12 hours every single day, sharing the heartbreaking personal toll: "There were days where I didn't see my son."

Sep 2, 2026

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id Software Dev Blasts Xbox After Layoffs: "They Don't Understand Games"

A veteran developer at id Software has gone public with sharp criticism of Microsoft and Xbox following a wave of layoffs that hit the legendary Doom studio in July 2026. Chris Hays, a lead services programmer at id Software, took to social media to condemn the parent company, stating bluntly, "They fundamentally don't understand art. They don't understand games." Hays described the cuts as having "gutted" entire departments, leaving the studio a shadow of its former self. "We're not the same iD, we're half the same iD," he said, capturing the scale of the damage in stark terms.

Aug 9, 2026

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id Software Downplays Impact of Xbox Layoffs, Says It Still Has the Team It Needs

id Software has issued a public statement reassuring fans that the studio remains capable of delivering the games and technology it has long been known for, despite being hit by the recent wave of Microsoft and Xbox layoffs. The studio acknowledged the difficult circumstances and thanked players and well-wishers "for the support," but emphasized that it still has "the crew we need to build the games and tech we're known for." Perhaps most notably, the studio revealed it is now roughly the same size it was during the development of Doom (2016), framing the reduced headcount as a return to a proven working scale rather than a crippling setback.

Jul 12, 2026

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John Carmack Admits His Microsoft Praise "Isn't Aging Well" After Xbox Layoffs Hit id Software

id Software co-founder John Carmack has broken his silence on the wave of layoffs that gutted the legendary Doom and Quake studio, offering a characteristically measured but candid response to what many in the industry have described as a devastating blow. Carmack acknowledged that a past statement he made expressing confidence that Microsoft would be a good steward of the brand is no longer holding up, admitting the remark "isn't aging well" in the wake of what has been reported as a bloodbath of job cuts at the studio he helped build into one of gaming's most iconic names.

Jul 11, 2026

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Xbox Layoffs Hit Bethesda Hard: id Software Vows to Keep Building Great Games

A sweeping new round of Xbox layoffs has struck several of Microsoft's most storied studios, with Bethesda properties bearing some of the heaviest losses. The cuts have impacted Bethesda Game Studios (the team behind The Elder Scrolls and Fallout), id Software (creators of Doom and Quake), and others under the Bethesda umbrella, raising serious questions about the futures of several high-profile franchises including Fallout 5, The Elder Scrolls 6, and the long-awaited Blade game.

Jul 11, 2026

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Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations Launches — With a Side of DLC Access Woes

id Software and Microsoft have launched Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations, a major expansion to Doom: The Dark Ages — the latest critically acclaimed entry in the legendary first-person shooter franchise. The expansion arrives with a new story campaign, continuing the brutal, medieval-flavored slaying that made the base game a hit with fans and critics alike. Destructoid has already published a complete walkthrough to help players navigate the new content, signaling that Revelations is a meaty addition to the package.

Jul 8, 2026

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Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations Release Date & Exact Countdown Confirmed

Hell is calling once again — Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations has an official release date and exact launch time, giving fans everything they need to plan their return to the demon-slaying action. Destructoid has broken down the precise countdown so players around the world know exactly when they can dive in, regardless of their time zone.

Jul 6, 2026

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Doom: The Dark Ages' Revelations DLC Brings Classic Levels & New Movement Abilities

id Software has officially unveiled Revelations, a major expansion for Doom: The Dark Ages that promises to be "the culmination of 35 years of Doom." The DLC is estimated to offer 10 to 12 hours of new content, and it's shaking things up in a big way — classic levels from the original 1993/1994 Doom are making a return as part of the expansion's endgame, giving longtime fans a nostalgic trip back to where it all began while seamlessly weaving that legacy into The Dark Ages' medieval hellscape.

Jul 2, 2026