Slicing corners: Players who buy bodily copies of Doom: The Dark Ages ought to most likely slide the disc into their consoles as quickly as doable, as the sport requires downloading dozens of gigabytes. Though the Nintendo Change 2’s game-key playing cards have confronted sharp criticism for requiring full recreation downloads, a web-based database reveals that the follow has additionally affected main current releases on different platforms.
Based on DoesItPlay.org, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Collection X discs for Doom: The Darkish Ages include just about no recreation knowledge. Just like the upcoming Nintendo Change 2’s game-key cards, inserting these discs merely initiates a obtain of the total digital model.
The PS5 disc consists of roughly 85MB of knowledge, whereas the Xbox Collection X disc comprises about 300MB. Though the precise Xbox obtain measurement stays unknown, the PS5 model requires an 84GB obtain. A press screenshot of the PC model signifies that the Steam obtain is round 64GB. As soon as put in, an web connection is not required to play.
Considered one of our beautiful Patreon Supporters acquired their arms on a replica of DOOM: The Darkish Ages PS5 early.
Only a 85 MB stub and a blocker to go surfing and replace.
(deleted the earlier tweet about this attributable to hope getting in the best way of our primary studying capacity ;-)) pic.twitter.com/nMq5VwsR8Y
– Does it play? (@DoesItPlay1) May 9, 2025
Nintendo raised issues that nearly-empty bodily copies of console video games would possibly grow to be commonplace after revealing the Change 2’s game-key playing cards. Nonetheless, requiring full digital downloads for bodily editions has been considerably frequent for years.
DoesItPlay examines what occurs when new-release recreation discs are inserted into consoles whereas offline, revealing that bodily copies of quite a few titles include little to no content material.
Bethesda seems to have standardized this strategy, as each Starfield and Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle ship on discs with solely partial knowledge. Equally, NBA 2K25, Hogwarts Legacy, and Alan Wake II solely allow early gameplay segments earlier than requiring downloads.
Past the inconvenience of delayed playtime, this development raises severe issues about recreation preservation.
The Name of Obligation collection presents a very excessive instance. Activision confronted backlash for releasing Modern Warfare II with just 70MB on the disc and a required 150GB obtain. Shockingly, the next two titles, Trendy Warfare III and Black Ops 6, include the identical knowledge from Trendy Warfare II. From there, customers can obtain gameplay modes independently.
Past the inconvenience of delayed playtime, this development raises severe issues about recreation preservation. These discs perform extra as bodily licenses that may be traded or bought, signaling a shift towards an all-digital future. Whereas that is already the case on PC, the presence of a number of digital storefronts affords customers extra flexibility. For instance, Doom (2016) just lately launched DRM-free on GOG.
Doom: The Darkish Ages has obtained usually favorable reviews, praised for its expansive ranges, spectacular visuals, and pleasing fight. Nonetheless, the requirement for ray tracing makes it troublesome to run on lower-end PCs.
Clients who buy an Nvidia RTX 5070, 5070 Ti, 5080, or 5090 will receive a free copy of the sport. Doom: The Darkish Ages will unlock on Sport Move, Battle.web, and Steam on Could 15 at midnight New Zealand time (8 PM ET on Could 14). The premium version affords two days of early entry. Moreover, the Xbox, Home windows Retailer, and Battle.web variations help cross-buy performance.
