If you’re a classic Doom fan who’s been seeing hype around the gritty, medieval-themed total conversion, you’ve probably asked how big is Doom the Dark Ages before carving out space on your hard drive. Unlike tiny vanilla Doom WADs that barely take up a few MBs, this full conversion rebuilds almost every part of the game from scratch, so it takes up far more space than you might expect. I’ve downloaded and tested every version of the mod over the past two years, so I can break down exactly what storage you’ll need for the base release, optional content, and extra add-ons you might want to grab.
How Big Is Doom: The Dark Ages Base Install Size?
Let’s start with the base mod, no extra add-ons, no high-res texture packs, just the core single-player campaign. The latest stable release of the core mod clocks in at 1.2 GB for Windows PC, which is almost 300 times the size of the original 1993 Doom. That includes all 32 single-player campaign maps, custom enemy sprites, medieval weapon models, original soundtrack, and all voice acting for NPCs you meet throughout the story. If you’re playing on Linux or Mac, the file size is slightly smaller, at 980 MB, since it cuts out some Windows-specific launcher files most users won’t need. You’ll also need at least 2 GB of free temporary storage to unpack the install files, so don’t wipe your drive down to exactly 1.2 GB before downloading. That temporary space clears up after installation is complete, so you don’t need to keep it free long term. The base install also includes accessibility options like subtitle support, control remapping, and difficulty sliders that are built directly into the mod files, so you don’t need to download any extra patches to get those features. If you’re playing on a console that supports homebrew Doom ports, the install size is around 1.1 GB for most systems, though you’ll need to check compatibility for your specific device before downloading.
Extra Storage Needed for Optional High-Res and Expansion Packs
Most players don’t stop at just the base install, right? The modding community for Doom: The Dark Ages has released tons of optional content that adds to the total file size, and some of the most popular packs are well worth grabbing if you have the space. The most common add-ons and their file sizes are:
- 4K Texture and Lighting Overhaul: 2.7 GB, replaces all default textures with photorealistic medieval assets and adds dynamic ray tracing compatible with most modern Doom source ports
- Dark Age Multiplayer Pack: 850 MB, adds 16 custom PvP and co-op maps, exclusive character skins, and team-based game modes not included in the base release
- Lost Crusade Expansion: 1.1 GB, adds a full 12-map bonus campaign following a side story about a knight fighting through a demon-infested holy land, plus 3 new playable weapons
Storage Requirements for Custom User-Made Maps and Mods
One of the best parts of Doom: The Dark Ages is that it supports its own library of user-created WADs, just like vanilla Doom, so you can add hundreds of extra hours of gameplay without buying any official DLC. Most single custom maps are only 10 to 50 MB each, so you could download 100 of them and only add 2 or 3 GB to your total install size. Full custom campaigns made by fans are usually between 100 and 500 MB each, depending on how many custom assets they include. Since Doom: The Dark Ages is built to be highly customizable, you can pick and choose exactly which add-ons you want to install to keep your file size as small or as large as you want. That means if you’re a super fan who wants to collect all the top-rated user content, you could easily end up with 10 to 15 GB of total storage used for the game and all add-ons. I’d recommend setting up a separate folder for user maps so you can delete ones you don’t play anymore to free up space, instead of letting them pile up in your main install folder.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Doom: The Dark Ages
I’ve seen a lot of new players run into storage issues when downloading the mod for the first time, and most of these problems are super easy to avoid if you know what to look for. First, don’t download the mod from random third-party sites, since many of them pack extra adware or unnecessary files into the download that can double the install size. Always get the release from the official mod page, where the files are curated and free of extra bloat. Second, don’t install all optional packs if you don’t plan to use them. A lot of players grab the 4K pack and multiplayer pack without ever playing online or having a monitor that supports 4K, and that wastes 3+ GB of space for no reason. Third, make sure you’re using a compatible source port like GZDoom, since older ports won’t recognize all the mod’s assets and can create duplicate files that take up extra storage without you noticing. You don’t need any fancy setup to run the mod, but a little bit of prep before you install can save you a lot of headaches later.
At the end of the day, the answer to how big is Doom the Dark Ages depends entirely on what content you want to play, but even with all the extra add-ons, it’s a tiny install compared to most modern games. If you only want to play the base single-player campaign, you can get away with less than 2 GB of free space, and even if you grab all the popular expansions and user content, you’ll barely use 15 GB total. It’s a small price to pay for one of the most creative and polished Doom total conversions ever made, and it’s well worth clearing a little extra space for if you’re a fan of fast-paced shooter gameplay and dark medieval settings.
