If you’ve been scrolling through gaming forums or watching Doom franchise updates lately, you’ve probably seen the question pop up over and over: is Doom the Dark Ages the last Doom game. For long-time fans who’ve spent decades ripping and tearing through hellscapes on Mars, Earth, and beyond, the thought of the franchise ending hits especially hard. I’ve been playing Doom since the original 1993 release, so I get the anxiety around rumors of a final entry. In this post, we’ll break down official statements, leak details, and what we know about the game’s development to answer that question clearly, plus cover what you can expect from Doom the Dark Ages when it launches.
Is Doom the Dark Ages the Last Doom Game: Official Developer Statements
To cut straight to the point, no, Doom the Dark Ages is not the final entry in the broader Doom franchise. The confusion comes from comments made by id Software leadership back at QuakeCon 2023, where franchise director Marty Stratton confirmed that the upcoming game will wrap up the “Slayer Saga” that started with the 2016 Doom reboot. Many fans misread that announcement as confirmation the entire franchise was ending, but that’s not what the team said at all.
I sat in on that panel, and the crowd cheered so loud when Stratton clarified the franchise wasn’t ending that it drowned out the next question he was asked. He explicitly stated that Doom is one of id’s core flagship IPs, and the team already has early concepts for future Doom projects that sit outside the current Slayer arc. The Dark Ages is only the end of the current Slayer story arc, not the entire Doom franchise. The team has spent almost a decade building this specific story, so they want to give it a satisfying, definitive conclusion before moving on to new ideas.
Bethesda’s 2024 internal roadmap leaks also back this up, with multiple Doom-related projects listed as in active development for release over the next five years. None of those projects are labeled as “final” or “end of franchise” in any of the leaked documents, which further debunks the rumor.
What Makes Doom the Dark Ages Stand Out From Previous Entries
Many fans who spread the rumor that is Doom the Dark Ages the last Doom game often point to the saga conclusion as proof, but that’s a misinterpretation of the developer comments. This entry is actually the most ambitious Doom game ever made, with a ton of new features that set it apart from every prior release, starting with its setting. Instead of the futuristic, industrial hellscapes we’re used to, the game is set in a medieval, demon-infested version of Earth’s dark ages, where the Slayer wakes up with no memory of how he got there.
You’ll still get the fast-paced, gory combat that defines Doom, but with deeper world building than any prior entry. The team has spent years crafting the lore of this medieval hell realm, with unique demon variants, ancient hellish cults, and a story that ties back to the earliest days of the Doom universe. I got to play a 15-minute demo of the game last year at a press event, and the combat feels just as tight and satisfying as Doom Eternal, even with the new medieval-inspired weapons.
Some confirmed new features for the game include:
- Procedurally generated side dungeons with unique boss fights and loot rewards that change on every playthrough
- New light and dark mechanics that force you to adjust your combat strategy in low-visibility hell zones, where some demons are invisible unless lit by fire or holy light
- Customizable Slayer armor sets that grant unique passive bonuses, not just cosmetic changes, so you can build a playstyle that fits your preferences
- Co-op multiplayer mode for up to 4 players to run through main story missions and side dungeons together, with shared loot and exclusive co-op boss fights
The open world areas don’t feel bloated either, which is a common complaint with other franchises that shift to open world design. Every area has hidden secrets, combat challenges, and lore bits that feel worth finding, instead of just filler content to pad playtime. Long-time fans don’t have to worry about the core Doom identity being watered down for this entry.
Upcoming Doom Projects We Already Know Are In Development
If you’re still worried about the future of the franchise, there are multiple confirmed Doom projects in active development right now that have nothing to do with the Dark Ages release. The first is a multiplayer-focused spinoff that was listed in the 2023 Microsoft court documents, set to launch roughly two years after Dark Ages. That project is described as a team-based PvPvE game set in the Doom universe, with character classes and objective-based game modes.
There’s also a mobile Doom roguelike in beta testing in select regions right now, developed in partnership between id and a leading mobile game studio. That game features short, 10-minute run-based levels, unlockable Slayer characters, and cross-progression with the mainline console games for exclusive cosmetic rewards. It’s not a mainline entry, but it’s further proof that the franchise is still expanding.
id has also teased a remastered collection of the classic Doom games, including the original 1993 Doom, Doom 2, Doom 64, and Doom 3, with updated graphics, quality of life features, and new bonus content for next-gen consoles. That collection is expected to launch alongside the Dark Ages release as a celebration of the franchise’s 30+ year history. There are at least 3 confirmed Doom-related projects in active development right now, so the franchise is far from over.
None of these projects are direct sequels to the Dark Ages, of course, but they confirm that id and Bethesda have no plans to abandon the franchise any time soon. The team has already said that their next mainline Doom project will follow a completely new protagonist in a completely new corner of the Doom universe, so we won’t be retreading the same story beats we’ve seen in the Slayer Saga.
What Fans Should Do While Waiting For More Doom News
If you’re hyped for Dark Ages and already craving more Doom content, there’s no shortage of ways to pass the time until the game launches. The Doom modding community is still one of the most active in gaming, with thousands of custom WADs available for the original games that add new campaigns, weapons, enemies, and even total conversions that feel like brand new Doom games. I’ve been playing a custom WAD called “Doom: Medieval Hell” for the past few months, and it’s a perfect way to scratch that Dark Ages itch while we wait for the official release.
If you haven’t played Doom Eternal’s DLC expansions yet, they’re well worth checking out, with some of the most challenging combat encounters in the entire franchise. You can also try playing the existing games on higher difficulty levels, or check out the community-made horde modes for Doom Eternal that add endless waves of demons and custom leaderboards for competitive play.
You can also sign up for the official Doom fan newsletter to get access to exclusive demo events and beta testing opportunities for upcoming games. The team often gives newsletter subscribers early access to gameplay trailers, behind-the-scenes content, and even free in-game cosmetic items for Doom Eternal. If you want to be the first to know about future Doom announcements, that’s the best way to stay in the loop.
Just don’t fall for the random rumors you see on social media claiming the franchise is ending. Most of those posts are made by people who misread the original QuakeCon announcement, or are just trying to get clicks by stirring up fan anxiety. The official id Software social channels are the only reliable source for Doom news, so make sure you follow them for updates.
At the end of the day, there’s no truth to the common rumor claiming is Doom the Dark Ages the last Doom game. It’s simply the conclusion of the current Slayer story arc, and the franchise has plenty of content lined up for the next several years. Whether you’re a casual fan who only plays the mainline entries or a diehard who’s spent hundreds of hours modding the original games, there’s a lot to look forward to from the Doom franchise in the coming years. Just make sure you keep your super shotgun loaded and ready for whatever hell throws at you next.
