DoomEternalwill not have microtransactions, according to id Software creative director Hugo Martin. Questions regardingDoom Eternal’s monetization have been increasing given publisher Bethesda’s inclination for adding microtransactions and the game’s confirmed multiplayer mode. It appears that expanding into microtransactions will be held off for theDoomsequel, at least for the time being.Doom Eternalwill launch a complete product.
Martin elaborates on the reasons whyid Softwarewon’t be implementing microtransactions, stating directly that, “Eternalis a $60 game.” He makes clear thatDoom Eternalis not a free-to-play game or a mobile game, that “we are giving you a complete experience with no store just like you’d expect.” The idea that a $60 game would be all-encompassing isn’t one shared by every developer anymore, but id Software is apparently confident that it’s the right choice to make.
RELATED:Doom Eternal Reimagines This Classic Doom 2 Enemy
WhileDoom Eternalwon’t have a “store,” it will have a system for unlocking content. Martin explains that players will be able to earn XP, which can be used to unlock in-game cosmetics. There will be no gameplay-affecting unlockables inDoom Eternalaccording to Martin, who says, “These cosmetics have no impact on how you play, they just look cool.” Most importantly, Martin assuresDoomfansthat it’s all free.
What’s left unsaid is how the single-player and multiplayer divide plays into id Software’s plans. Battlemode is an asymmetrical multiplayer mode in which one player becomes the Slayer, aDoomguy, and two other players summon demons to play as. It’s not a hugely robust multiplayer mode, but it makes sense for Martin’s XP system and cosmetics to be featured in the mode. Whether this crosses over to single-player or if there’s a complete divide isn’t wholly clear.
Perhaps notable is Martin’s language regarding id Software’sDoom Eternalmonetization plans. He almost goes out of his way to say that ifDoom Eternalwas free-to-play, then microtransactions would make sense. This context may reinvigorate theories that id Software could be working on a free-to-play game based onDoom Eternal. It could be aDoom EternalDeathmatchmultiplayer game, which seems to be a popular request to fans. Or it could be nothing at all.Doom Eternal, at least, is safe and that should mean a lot to fans.
Doom Eternalreleases March 20 on Google StadiaPC, PS4, and Xbox One, followed by a Nintendo Switch release later in the year.
