The last game we got in the Doom series was 2020’s Eternal. A fine game it was as well (though I personally prefer the 2016 entry). Given that it’s only been four years then, one would hardly expect a new installment so soon. We know how long AAA titles take to develop in this climate. However, something may be on the horizon soon.
Back in January of this year, ZeniMax Media registered a trademark that many interpreted as being Doom related. The trademark itself was given the title “IDKFA,” a well-known reference to a cheat code from the earlier games. Given this, many have assumed that this has to be in relation to an upcoming game.
The Verge’s Tom Warren also teased a Doom may be on the way in a recent write-up on what’s happening inside Microsoft and Xbox right now. “Microsoft will be banking on some new game announcements lifting the Doom around Xbox,” Warren writes. Eurogamer also reports that it’s heard similar things.
We have so few details about this speculation that I’m surprised I’m able to fill the required word count for this article (though I do waffle sometimes). As such, it can’t be said what ZeniMax has planned. All we can do is play the Speculation Game based on what people strongly suspect, given the Doom reference.
Could an announcement be made soon?
Not long ago, the Xbox Showcase for 2024 was announced, which will be going ahead on June 9. This will be a chance for a lot of Xbox-related content to be shown off and teased. Seeing as id Software – the studio behind Doom – is part of this business umbrella, there’s every possibility a new game in the iconic series could be announced.
I’m spit-balling, of course. None of the official Twitter/X accounts from the likes of id, Bethesda, Xbox or even the Doom profile itself mention any kind of announcement inbound. Makes sense if they want to keep it schtum, though.
We don’t even know if id Software will be the developer of any future Doom games. I mean, it would seem likely, given the studio has been making them since 1993 (albeit not with the same people onboard). But as I say, these are just rumors, so we’ll hopefully know more either during or just before the Xbox Showcase goes live.
The showcase will be an important moment for Xbox either way, as the company faces scrutiny for its recent closure of several studios, including Arkane Austin and Tango GameWorks. This summer’s stream will show what road Xbox has ahead without the makers of Prey and Hi-Fi Rush on-board.
