Doom: The Dark Ages Ditches Multiplayer to Deliver the Ultimate Campaign Experience

Doom: The Dark Ages is bringing all the classic Doom essentials – demons, devastating weapons, and a relentless protagonist – but one key feature is missing: multiplayer. According to id Software studio chief Marty Stratton, the decision to forgo a multiplayer component was made early to focus on delivering the "biggest and best" Doom campaign yet.

Multiplayer has long been part of Doom's DNA, dating back to the original game's revolutionary deathmatch mode, which once caused chaos on university networks. However, times have changed, and with today’s abundance of multiplayer shooters, id Software chose to channel its energy into crafting an exceptional single-player experience.

As PC Gamer reported, "It's a campaign only," Stratton revealed during a recent preview event. He explained that focusing solely on the campaign allowed the team to develop ambitious features like the Atlan, a mech-driven sequence, and even dragon-based gameplay. These expansive elements function like standalone mini-games within the broader Doom experience.

The shift away from multiplayer isn't entirely unexpected. Doom Eternal’s experimental Battlemode – a twist on traditional deathmatch – had a lukewarm reception and didn’t capture the multiplayer audience. Stratton emphasized that campaigns draw most players to modern Doom games, and id Software is determined to deliver an unforgettable single-player adventure with Doom: The Dark Ages.

While some fans may feel nostalgic for Doom’s deathmatch origins, this focused approach seems to mark a new chapter in the franchise, prioritizing depth and innovation over trying to compete in an already crowded multiplayer market.