DOOM: The Dark Ages fans cancel their pre-orders after discovering that the game disc only has 85 MB. Read on to learn more about the game’s physical release issue and how players can get an exclusive skin.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Pre-Launch Updates
Fans Cancel Their Pre-Orders
A wave of pre-order cancellations is sweeping across the DOOM: The Dark Ages community after fans discovered the physical game disc contains just 85 MB of data—forcing players to download over 80 GB to actually play. The situation unfolded when several retailers shipped copies ahead of the official release date, revealing the minimal on-disc content.
In a widely shared post on Twitter (X), user @DoesItPlay1 highlighted the controversy surrounding the physical edition. Known for advocating game preservation and evaluating offline functionality of physical releases, the account pointed out that DOOM: The Dark Ages requires a mandatory online connection to download critical updates before gameplay. This has sparked backlash from collectors and players who value ownership and offline access.
The post quickly gained traction, prompting fans to voice their dissatisfaction with Bethesda’s approach. Many expressed feeling misled, arguing that a physical copy should offer more than just a digital access token. The consensus among disappointed buyers is that requiring an 80+ GB download undermines the purpose of owning a tangible version. As a result, numerous players have canceled their pre-orders and plan to wait for the digital release instead.
Despite the backlash, early recipients of the game have taken to Reddit to share their gameplay experiences—many praising the title itself. At Game8, we’ve awarded DOOM: The Dark Ages an 88 out of 100, applauding its bold reimagining of the franchise. The game swaps the high-octane, fast-paced movement of DOOM (2016) and Eternal for a more grounded, visceral combat experience rooted in medieval brutality. For a deeper dive into our full review, check out the article below!
