The latest entry in the iconic Doom franchise, Doom: The Dark Ages, has stormed onto Steam with the usual hellish fanfare—but early data suggests it’s failing to replicate the explosive launch success of its predecessor, Doom Eternal. According to SteamDB charts, the game’s concurrent player count at launch sits at roughly 18,000 players, a stark drop from Doom Eternal’s peak of 104,000 players during its 2020 debut. While the medieval-inspired prequel brings brutal new weapons and a fresh twist on the series’ lore, fans and analysts are pointing to one glaring hurdle: its $70 price tag.
Available now on Steam, The Dark Ages plunges players into a gothic war against the armies of Hell, complete with a skull-crushing “shield saw” and dragon-mounted combat. Yet despite critical praise for its frenetic gameplay, the SteamDB metrics reveal a slower burn. Comparatively, Doom Eternal launched at **60∗∗,apricepointthatalignedwithAAAnormsatthetime.The60∗∗,apricepointthatalignedwithAAAnormsatthetime.The10 increase for The Dark Ages has sparked heated debates, with many fans arguing the hike feels unjustified for a single-player experience lacking major live-service elements.
“I’ve slain demons since the ’90s, but $70 is a gut punch,” wrote one user on Reddit’s r/Doom subreddit. “I’ll wait for a sale.” Similar sentiments flood social media and Steam forums, with players noting that even beloved franchises face resistance in an era of rising costs and crowded release calendars. Others speculate that the prequel’s darker, slower narrative tone—a departure from Eternal’s breakneck pacing—may also be dampening enthusiasm.
Bethesda has yet to comment on the player count or pricing criticism. However, industry observers suggest the studio may need to pivot quickly. “The $70 debate isn’t going away,” said gaming analyst Laura Chen. “If player numbers don’t climb, we could see discounts sooner than expected—especially with Black Myth: Wukong and Starfield: Shattered Space competing for attention.”
For now, Doom: The Dark Ages remains a blood-soaked triumph for diehard fans, but its commercial trajectory hangs in the balance. Will the Slayer’s latest crusade carve a path to longevity, or will Bethesda’s pricing strategy leave it stranded in purgatory? The gates of Hell—and Steam’s charts—will tell.
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