In a recent conversation with Doom: The Dark Ages game director Hugo Martin and producer Marty Stratton, the topic of “the prequel problem” arose. Specifically, the concern was that the game’s story would inevitably lead to a tragic conclusion, with the Doom Slayer being sealed away in a coffin, as depicted in the 2016 Doom reboot.
However, Martin and Stratton revealed a surprising detail about The Dark Ages’ ending: it won’t conclude with the Slayer being locked away. This decision opens up possibilities for future prequel stories and leaves the door ajar for additional medieval-set Doom adventures.
According to Martin, ending the game with the Slayer in the coffin would effectively close the book on the medieval chapter of the Doom saga. Instead, the team opted to leave the story open-ended, paving the way for potential follow-up stories and DLC.
Martin confirmed that id Software has plans for DLC content, similar to Doom Eternal’s The Ancient Gods. This additional content will continue the story of The Dark Ages, rather than concluding it with the Slayer’s imprisonment.
The decision to avoid a definitive conclusion also speaks to id Software’s commitment to exploring the medieval setting and dark fantasy elements introduced in The Dark Ages. While it’s unclear whether the studio plans to develop another full-fledged Doom sequel set in this era, the team’s enthusiasm for this vision of medieval Doom suggests that we can expect more stories set within this timeframe.
With Doom: The Dark Ages slated for release on May 15, fans can look forward to experiencing this new chapter in the Doom saga. The game’s story, now free from the constraints of a predetermined conclusion, promises to deliver a fresh and exciting take on the Doom universe.
