The third installment in the modern DOOM series, title's been getting stellar reviews, and many players love it, but there is one nagging issue that Microsoft continues to pull. DOOM: The Dark Ages is not an Xbox exclusive, as it's readily available on PS5, a platform with far more physical media buyers than the green brand.

However, once again, Microsoft has botched the physical release of DOOM: The Dark Ages, and this time, it appears to be the last straw for the physical media community. Many are refusing to buy the game, and it's incredibly worrisome that, with all these Xbox games getting poor physical media releases, this will be the way forward for all of Xbox's first-party games.

Why People Are Boycotting DOOM: The Dark Ages

Xbox's Worst Physical Release Yet

2025 has been an awful year so far for Xbox physical disc releases, and DOOM: The Dark Ages somehow reached a worse low. Sadly, that isn't the first time I've said that for an Xbox physical release this year. First, there was Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which had a physical release, but the full game wasn't on the disc. At least, the full game was over 100 GB, which is the maximum for an Ultra HD Blu-ray, so Microsoft had that cost excuse.

Then, there was Forza Horizon 5, which didn't even see a physical release on PS5, despite the Forza games being infamous for their delisting after several years. DOOM: The Dark Ages once again has only 85 megabytes on the PS5 disc, and the Xbox version isn't much better. The full game has to be ed with an internet connection, but what pushed physical media fans to the edge was that the DOOM: The Dark Ages file size is under the 100 GB limit.

This game could fit on a 100 GB Ultra HD Blu-ray disc, but Microsoft didn't bother. It shouldn't be more expensive since they are printing discs anyway, so the only problem I can think of is that the game possibly wasn't done yet when physical media production began. That's just my theory, but regardless, this is ridiculous. Many are boycotting the game, with an individual on Reddit saying the following:

I’m boycotting DOOM: The Dark Ages until it gets either a proper physical release or hits the bargain bin.

I know some of you will say, “Just get over it, this is the modern norm,” but this is a hill I’m willing to die on.

Why Does This Matter, & What Can Other Games Learn From This?

It's A Bigger Problem Than You May Think

Many out there, especially Xbox owners, may not see the big deal in these poor physical game releases, like DOOM: The Dark Ages. Most people buy digitally; Xbox games are best played on Game , and you can still lend out these poor physical releases to your friends for them to play. The issue is ownership. Games like The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered or Astro Bot have the full game on the disc, so you own that game. You are free to install and play it offline.

Why not push the physical release back a few months until it's ready? Koei Tecmo did that for Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, and many in the NG fandom picked it up then.

Not to mention, Xbox is setting a dangerous precedent with every release this year. Their next first-party game is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4. I know many who've already pre-ordered the Collector's Edition with the full-sized skateboard, and they will be really upset if the full game isn't on the disc. Xbox needs to start having proper disc releases, and there's a smart move to fix this issue.

Let's say my DOOM: The Dark Ages theory was correct, and the game just wasn't done yet for printing in time for the release date. Why not push the physical release back a few months until it's ready? Koei Tecmo did that for Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, and many in the NG fandom picked it up then. It can work out financially, too, because super fans may pick up the game digitally to play it on the release date, but then double-dip to get it physically months later.

Despite The Controversy, DOOM: The Dark Ages Is Performing Well

People Love The Actual Game

DOOM: The Dark Ages botched physical release hit hard for the physical media community and the DOOM community, to a certain extent, but the game's still doing very well. Reviews from both critics and players have been very high. I really enjoyed the game, and I thought it was a marked improvement over DOOM Eternal, gameplay-wise.

There has been some concern over the Steam player numbers, but keep in mind that this is the first new DOOM title on PC Game , which Microsoft recently stated grew 45% year over year. PC Game does not use Steam as a launcher, at least not yet, so I wouldn't be concerned about the Steam player numbers. DOOM: The Dark Ages looks poised to be a definite GOTY contender for 2025.

Source: Reddit