Bethesda and id Software’s next Doom game is reportedly called Doom: The Dark Ages and is expected to be revealed at next month’s Xbox Games Showcase, according to Insider Gaming.
A report from the site says fans will see the next entry in the classic first-person shooter franchise when Microsoft holds its gaming event come June 9. It adds that the title has been in development for at least four years and judging by early details from last year, it may feature a medieval theme.
id’s next mainline Doom game has been rumored for years, though it has been called a different name in the past. Leaked Microsoft court documents from 2023 revealed something known as Doom: Year Zero. If Doom: The Dark Ages is real, it’s likely the final name for that same project. While Bethesda has never officially confirmed that such a project exists, a recent “IDKFA” trademark filing from ZeniMax Media had many fans hoping an announcement could be on the horizon.
It’s been four years since id unleashed its modern Doom sequel, Doom Eternal, for PC and consoles in March 2020. It’s not been completely quiet in the time since, though, as the studio also released The Ancient Gods Part One and Part Two in late 2020 and early 2021, respectively. Without confirmation that Doom: The Dark Ages is real, it’s probably best to keep expectations low. Either way, we won’t have to wait much longer to see if the rumors hold any weight.
For more on Doom, you can read our review of Doom Eternal. We loved the way the follow-up brought the FPS franchise into the future, awarding it a 9/10 at the time. We said, “Whether you’re a new Doom fan or a veteran one, Doom Eternal is bound to delight & entertain you. It’s gloriously fun.”
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
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