Author: John Scalzo

Even though we still don’t know when it’ll be released, we got our first taste of Doom Eternal with a gameplay demonstration during QuakeCon 2018 yesterday, and it was glorious. Promising to be bigger and bloodier than its predecessor, I am extremely excited where id Software is taking the franchise next.

But according to Game Director Marty Stratton, the developer has already started planning for life after the game’s launch. Speaking to Polygon, Stratton revealed that id Software is already planning a single-player expansion for Doom Eternal:

“Honestly, if there’s one thing thing that I would like to go back and do different is to give people more of the [Doom] campaign post-launch,” Stratton said. “You know, more follow-up DLC from a campaign perspective. So we’re already planning that and I’m looking forward to it. We’ll talk about our whole plan.”

Stratton followed that up by saying any Doom Eternal expansion would likely tie with the new Invasion Mode:

“It’s fun, too, because when we when we look at doing campaign DLC, and then we [can] have something like Invasion play a part in it, you know, it just, it kind of makes it even more valuable to have that,” he said. “We really love the replayability of the game — we love playing the game over and over and over. We love that people are still playing the game, and on their 20th time through the campaign or doing a speedrun or, you know, maxing out all of their guns or whatever. And [we want to give] people more reasons to come back, whether it’s Invasion, or DLC, it’s really important to us.”

It’s likely much too early to worry about Doom Eternal’s single-player expansion, but we do know the game is currently in development for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Hopefully, a release date will be announced soon.

Executives and developers from Bethesda delivered the keynote address to QuakeCon 2018 attendees earlier this morning, but the centerpiece of the presentation was definitely when the stage was turned over to id Software’s Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin. Together, they unveiled the first gameplay demonstration for Doom Eternal, and it promises to be a bigger and bloodier game than its predecessor.

First, they gave viewers a taste of the Doom Slayer’s new Armor, which includes a wrist-mounted blade, a shoulder-mounted flamethrower, and a brand new Dash ability. But if you really want to fly through the game’s hellish landscapes, you’ll need the Super Shotgun’s Meat Hook attachment. Players will be able to latch onto nearby enemies and rush towards them at lightning-fast speeds. Eat your heart out Scorpion.

Id is also looking to the past for Doom Eternal and bringing back the “Ludicrous Gibs.” That’s thanks to the new “Destructible Demons” system, which creates showers of blood and gore with every shotgun blast. Classic demons from Doom II: Hell On Earth, including the Pain Elemental, Archvile, and Arachnotron, will also return in Doom Eternal.

Finally, Stratton and Martin showcased Invasion Mode, an optional new piece of the Doom Eternal puzzle that allows other players to invade your Campaign as demons. Your friends can even join up with a hunting party to give someone “a true taste of Hell.”

And in case you missed anything during the nearly 30-minute demonstration, id Software distilled it all down for us:

Slayer 2.0
Unleash the overwhelming power of the Doom Slayer. With updated armor and an arsenal of new and improved equipment, including a shoulder-mounted cannon with flamethrower, extendable blade, and a new dash ability, you’re faster and deadlier than ever. Destroy every demon in your path with an upgraded array of guns and mods, including the Super Shotgun’s new Meat Hook attachment to pull yourself point blank with the faces of hell.

Rip More, Tear More
Obliterate more demons than ever before, each with their own attacks and abilities. Fan-favorite classics such as the Pain Elemental, Archvile, and Arachnotron make their return, while a horde of totally-new demons join the roster including the Doom Hunter and corrupted Marauders. Doom Eternal’s “Destructible Demons” system takes your power fantasy to new levels by ensuring that every trigger pull has never felt better.

All-New Invasion
As the Slayer, allow real players to invade your campaign as demons for a dramatic and unpredictable twist anytime you’re playing the campaign. Or join the ranks of the damned yourself as you become a demon and invade a friend or other player’s campaign. Invade others either by yourself or with another player, as part of a hunting party, to give the Slayer a true taste of Hell.

We’re Not on Mars Anymore
Rip and tear across epic, never-before-seen worlds. Witness the tumbling skyscrapers of Hell on Earth; battle through an invasion of the mammoth BFG 10,000 on Phobos; and discover the ancient secrets of the Doom universe. With idTech7, every environment is brought to life in unprecedented detail.

Doom Eternal doesn’t currently have a release date, but it is currently in development at id Software for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.