DOOM: The Dark Ages became the fastest-selling game in the history of id Software, hitting 3 million players at a speed seven times that of DOOM Eternal. Bethesda dropped this bombshell while thanking the fans for all the support. However, some gamers really aren’t having an anniversary; they claim that Game Pass skewed the numbers.
Of course, the tweet by Bethesda never cleared up how many out of those 3 million players were Game Pass subscribers versus actual purchasers, and that set the drama off. One such who went by the name Elder (@Hatlet2) called the “scummy” move: That the game was going to Game Pass just days after release would have inflated the actual player count amongst others. Others such as MK (@21Century_Out) took the opposing view, “Who give a fuck about how many copies SOLD?”
Le roi est l’argent. Some fans, including freakshowgamings (@gamer4life4), talked about how Game Pass might help engagement but would never really translate to direct revenues for Bethesda: “If a game isn’t profitable, why would Microsoft keep the company around?” Ouch. That’s a harsh reality check right after controversially shutting down Tango Gameworks (Hi-Fi Rush devs) despite good numbers.
Sure, not everybody was salty. Nathan Smith (@nathantweet) said, “Amazing game thank you Bethesda ❤️,” and then Suto (@McSuto) just hyped up the milestone with “3 Million Slayers.” Don Pepe @DonPepe99744821) kind of came back with an underhanded compliment that’s really nothing but a diss: “Unfortunately, Doom Eternal is much better.”
With all that being said, the debate remains alive: Does a Game Pass sale mean devaluation? Is a player count even a stat if most of those people just try it for free? And what is it about this particular number that makes Bethesda double down on it when infamous Tango was just a nomenclature devoid of meaning?
One thing is sure: both in terms of money and demon-slaying hours, DOOM: The Dark Ages is undoubtedly the winner at hand. But with Microsoft erasing the meaning of success with its Game Pass strategy, a new scoreboard might be in order in the gaming industry.
For now, shotgun in hand: Let the mayhem begin. But, don’t ask Bethesda for a free PS5 code, like Levi (@levijimenez3) did. It’s just not going to happen.
