DOOM: The Dark Ages is making waves as the latest entry in the long-running franchise, though there are some question marks about the multiplayer options in the title.
The DOOM franchise has a proud history with multiplayer offerings, being one of the first to offer a competitive shooter to play with friends, but the world of gaming has shifted over the decades, leading to some big changes.
If you want to know whether DOOM: The Dark Ages offers any multiplayer options, both competitive and cooperative, look no further than our guide.
Does DOOM: The Dark Ages Have Multiplayer?
No, DOOM: The Dark Ages does not have any multiplayer options and is strictly a single-player game, making a change from the most recent entries in the series.
2016’s DOOM and 2020’s DOOM: Eternal both have limited multiplayer options available, offering competitive play for players, but the campaign was strictly solo only and did not offer cooperative options.
That approach has been scrapped entirely for DOOM: The Dark Ages, though, which isn’t too surprising considering the modes introduced in previous entries weren’t the most popular.
Having said that, DOOM’s deeper history has a stronger presence in multiplayer offerings, with many players sure to fondly remember the days of connecting over LAN to compete against friends, so it may be a hard pill for some to swallow.
Why is There no Multiplayer in DOOM: The Dark Ages?
id Software and Bethesda have been pretty clear on the reasons behind the lack of multiplayer options in DOOM: The Dark Ages, stating that the removal of the feature allowed the development team to put full focus on the single-player campaign.
As reported by Eurogamer in January 2024, executive producer Marty Stratton stated the decision was made early on so the team could “go all in on the campaign,” which has resulted in the “largest, most expansive, most epic campaign ever.”
The decision to ditch multiplayer options allowed the team to add additional features like the dragon and the mech, something they have wanted to do for “multiple games now”, but were not able to due to the “multiplayer component.”
Although it was something the team “loved,” the decision to focus on the single-player campaign allowed the team to “level up that experience for players.”
Though DOOM: The Dark Ages will receive additional DLC, don’t expect the multiplayer stance to shift.
Want more DOOM: The Dark Ages coverage? Take a read on where the game takes place chronologically in the franchise and have a look at the full list of achievements and trophies.
Are you disappointed by the lack of multiplayer features in DOOM: The Dark Ages? Will it change your stance on purchasing the game? Share your thoughts in the Insider Gaming Forum.
