It looks like some disappointing news is coming to those awaiting Doom Eternal‘s release. At 10:00 a.m. ET today, developer id Software, best known for its Doom and Wolfenstein franchises, announced the highly anticipated Doom Eternal is being delayed until March 20, 2020. The game was slated to launch on Nov 22.
The developer stated on Twitter that it’s delaying the game’s release to better meet fans’ expectations of “speed and polish.” The most recent offering from id Software, Rage 2, was met with a lukewarm reception by fans. Rage 2 was criticized for its microtransactions on Steam. Forcing users to buy in-game currency to purchase DLC didn’t help.
Is there any hope?
However, a slight glimmer of hope arises from this announcement. The team at id Software announced a few other changes that will be coming to the game, including:
Invasion Mode – A new game mode where players can enter another player’s game as a playable demon. This will release shortly after Doom Eternal‘s now delayed launch.
Doom 64 – This will be available on PC as well as consoles. If you pre-order the game, however, you’ll get this classic rendition of Doom from the Nintendo 64 for free. Doom 64 will also release on March 20, 2020.
An update on DOOM Eternal: pic.twitter.com/2LWrfh6e4Z
— DOOM (@DOOM) October 8, 2019
A glimpse of what’s to come
Our own Greg Bargas got an early hands-on preview of Doom Eternal at E3 2019. He noted that, while the game had played well and he had fun, it didn’t seem like a monumental shift in improved gameplay. Nevertheless, id’s Software’s newly announced delaying of the game signals that the developer is taking feedback from all sectors of the gaming world and attempting to hone a better player experience.
Delays are often disappointing. But the inclusion of a free, full-length game for pre-order might cool the hellish burn. Doom Eternal chainsaws its way into the PC on March 20, 2020.
