Underwhelming Sales Despite Player Count
DOOM: The Dark Ages, Bethesda’s latest AAA title, has reportedly sold fewer than 1 million copies. Despite a recent announcement boasting over 3 million players, industry analysts suggest the actual sales numbers are far lower than expected for a flagship franchise.
Game Pass Accounts for Majority of Players
Alinea Analytics reports that of those 3 million players, 2.2 million accessed the game via Xbox Game Pass. Only 800,000 copies were sold outright:
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Steam: 400,000 copies
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PlayStation 5: 200,000 copies
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Xbox: 200,000 copies
This breakdown highlights a shift in how players access new titles, with subscription models playing a growing role.
Is “Players vs. Sales” the New Smoke and Mirrors?
In recent years, game studios have emphasized “player count” over “units sold” in marketing. While this can make a game appear more successful, critics argue it’s often used to mask underperformance.
Bethesda’s announcement was quickly compared to Ubisoft’s similar strategy with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Many fans and analysts saw the messaging as a red flag—possibly attempting to mislead.
Industry Analysts Weigh In
A second source, Ampere Analysis, shared slightly different numbers:
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PlayStation 5: 500,000 players
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Xbox (Game Pass + Sales): Over 2 million players
Regardless of the source, both firms agree: actual sales of DOOM: The Dark Ages lag behind expectations, especially for a game tied to such an iconic FPS franchise.
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Game Pass: A Win for Players, a Concern for Studios?
Xbox Game Pass continues to reshape how games are played and sold. While the service offers excellent value—allowing users to access major titles for $12/month—it also reduces full-price sales, which can delay profit margins.
For studios and investors, this creates a financial balancing act. High development costs aren’t always offset by Game Pass revenue alone, especially at launch.
Pricing AAA Games: Time for a Change?
The game’s lackluster Steam performance and mixed player sentiment have revived the conversation around AAA pricing. Is a $70 price tag justified when many players prefer subscription models or lower-cost indie games?
With growing competition from AA and indie titles, the industry standard price may no longer align with player expectations or value.