DOOM: Eternal is abandoning the series' traditional deathmatch mode

DOOM: Eternal will be the first Doom game to abandon the series’ iconic deathmatch mode.

Just a couple of days ago, Bethesda unveiled the new games’ unique asymmetrical multiplayer mode: Battlemode. However, it appears that developer id Software has decided to completely strip out the franchise’s staple game mode.

In an IGN interview with executive producer Marty Stratton, he revealed that the game would not have DOOM’s “traditional” multiplayer mode. “Battlemode is our primary multiplayer mode,” Stratton said.

With DOOM 2016’s multiplayer arena mode being poorly received by both fans and critics, it makes sense that developer id Software would jump ship. With the game’s recent gameplay videos revealing a confident, quality product, multiplayer just isn’t the main focus of this new DOOM title.

Creative Director Hugo Martin expressed this same sentiment in IGN’s interview:

“In 2016, we discovered we need to lead and not follow,” Martin told the site. “In the single player, we lead, and we owned it. We made a DOOM game, we didn’t necessarily care about the trends or anything.”

“In the multiplayer, we took a little bit of this and a little bit of that and it became obvious to fans and obvious to us that’s not what we really wanted to do.”

For many DOOM fans, the lack of deathmatch may be disappointing. It is a staple part of every game in the series, even the third title. No matter how much the series has departed from its original release, deathmatch has always been there.

Battlemode appears to be a great addition to the franchise and we’re excited to see it in action.

DOOM: Eternal launches in November 2018.