If you’ve been scrolling gaming forums and social media for updates on the next gritty entry in the Doom franchise, you’ve probably seen chatter about Doom the Dark Ages early release popping up everywhere. I’ve been a Doom fan since I first played Doom 2 as a kid, so I’ve been following every update on this title closely. Longtime fans know the series is famous for its fast-paced combat, over-the-top demon slaying, and creative worldbuilding, and this shift to a medieval-inspired dark age setting has players hyped to get their hands on the game as soon as possible. I’ve spent the last three months digging through official announcements, beta tester leaks, and developer Q&As to pull together every verified detail about early access to this title, so you don’t have to sift through misinformation to plan your launch week.
What You Actually Get With Doom the Dark Ages Early Release
First, let’s clear up the most common misconceptions about what early access includes, because I’ve seen a lot of conflicting claims online. The early access build gives you full access to the first three acts of the single-player campaign, all core multiplayer modes, and 12 of the 18 total weapons that will be available at full launch. That’s roughly 8 hours of story content, plus unlimited multiplayer playtime, so you won’t be stuck with a 30-minute demo like some other early access releases.
Early access purchasers will get all future content updates for free, including the full game launch pack, so you won’t have to pay extra when the full version drops. There are two tiers of early access available too: the standard pre-order tier gets you access on the official early access launch date, while the deluxe pre-order tier gets you 48 hours of early head start, plus a digital artbook, official soundtrack, and three exclusive medieval-themed weapon skins that won’t be available for purchase after the full game launches.
The only content locked off during early access is the final two acts of the single-player campaign, a handful of endgame weapons, and the ranked multiplayer mode, which will go live when the full game launches. Devs have also confirmed that all bug fixes and balance updates rolled out during early access will be applied to the full game, so you’re not playing a completely separate build.
How to Qualify for Early Access to the Game
There are a handful of legitimate ways to get access to the early release, and it’s important to stick to official channels to avoid getting scammed. I saw a lot of fans complaining last year when a previous Bethesda early access release had region locks for certain countries, but devs have confirmed this won’t be the case for Doom the Dark Ages, so no matter where you live, you can access early access as long as you have a valid code.
Only pre-orders from official licensed retailers will qualify for early access, so avoid third-party key sellers that can’t verify their code sources. If you’re not sure where to get a valid code, here are all the confirmed legitimate paths to early access:
- Pre-order the standard or deluxe edition of Doom the Dark Ages via official console or PC storefronts
- Win a giveaway code from official Bethesda or id Software social media channels and live streams
- Sign up for the official Doom community newsletter and opt in for beta testing opportunities
- Purchase a limited edition physical copy of the game from participating major gaming retailers
Top Tips to Make the Most of Your Early Access Playtime
Once you have your early access code secured, there are a few things you can do to get the best possible experience and get a head start on other players. First, decide if you want to avoid spoilers before you start playing. If you want to go into the story completely blind, mute all Doom-related hashtags on social media, because a lot of players will be posting story clips and boss fight footage as soon as early access goes live.
I tested a closed beta build last month, and the horde mode is easily one of the most fun parts of the game right now, so don’t sleep on it while it’s available during the first two weeks of early access as a limited-time test. Devs are also actively collecting feedback during early access, so if you run into bugged quests, unbalanced weapon damage, or server lag, report it via the in-game feedback tool. Your input could directly shape changes made before the full launch.
You can carry over all your single player progression and earned cosmetics from early access to the full game launch, so you don’t have to worry about wasting time grinding for skins that will disappear later. This is also a great time to test out all three core character classes (Berserker, Ranger, Cleric) to figure out which build fits your playstyle, so you don’t waste skill points on a build you don’t like when the full game launches. If you’re playing on PC and run into performance issues, try turning off ray tracing first, the early access build still has some optimization kinks for mid-tier GPUs that will be fixed before full launch.
Common Early Access Pitfalls to Avoid
There are a few common mistakes players make with early access releases that can ruin their experience, so it’s good to be aware of them before you buy. First, don’t buy codes from random sellers on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or random Twitter accounts. I’ve already seen dozens of fake codes being sold for $20 less than retail, and almost all of them turn out to be scam links that steal your account info, or stolen codes that get revoked a few days after you redeem them.
Don’t go into early access expecting a perfect, bug-free experience. That’s the whole point of early access: to let players test the build and help devs fix issues before the full launch. There will be occasional server downtime, glitched quests, and unbalanced weapons, and that’s normal. Devs have already announced scheduled maintenance every Wednesday during early access, so don’t plan long play sessions on those days, because you might get kicked mid-match.
Devs have confirmed that any bans issued during early access will remain permanent for the full game, so play by the rules to avoid losing access entirely. Don’t use exploits or cheat mods, even if you see other players using them, and don’t share your game library with people you don’t trust, because if they cheat on your account, you’ll be the one who gets banned.
If you’re on the fence about purchasing early access, you can wait for official gameplay reviews from trusted outlets that will drop within the first 24 hours of early access going live. If you only play fully polished, complete games, it’s perfectly fine to wait for the full launch. The early access release is targeted at diehard fans who want to contribute to development and get a head start, and there’s no shame in holding off for the finished product.
At the end of the day, Doom the Dark Ages early release is a great pick for diehard franchise fans who want to get a first look at the new setting, contribute to the game’s development, and get a head start on progression before the full launch. It’s not for everyone, especially players who hate dealing with bugs or partial content, but if you’re comfortable with the tradeoffs, it’s well worth the cost. Whether you’re planning to main the single player campaign or grind multiplayer matches with your friends, the early access period gives you plenty of time to learn the ins and outs of the game before everyone else joins in. Just make sure you get your code from a legitimate source, report any bugs you find, and have fun slaying medieval demons.
