When Doom Eternal launches in a few weeks, it will do so with a Battle Pass-like progression system, but contrary to the rest of the industry, Bethesda has assured players their game's cosmetic-chasing carrot-on-a-stick will be totally free for everyone.
The news follows yesterday's op-ed by VG24/7 that alleged Battle Passes are actually worse than the lootboxes they replaced because they demand players keep up or lose out which, the author suggested, can become predatory and addictive on younger kids especially. It should be noted that these are the exact problems many had with lootboxes, and Battle Passes remove that randomization.
Regardless, the author's op-ed pointed to Doom Eternal's promise of "no microtransactions" as phony when Bethesda would assumedly just charge people for its Battle Pass anyway. As it turns out, that's incorrect. In a statement the company made to VG24/7, a representative for Bethesda confirmed there is no store in Doom Eternal. "There’s no paid Battle Pass in the game either. You play the game, earn XP, and unlock cool cosmetics. That’s it.” The op-ed has since been removed from VG24/7.
Doom Eternal is the follow-up to the 2016 critically beloved Doom, a reboot of sorts for id Software's trailblazing first-person shooter. That title earned high marks almost unanimously. On OpenCritic, it's been recommended by 92% of critics who collectively gave the gory game a "Mighty" average of 85.
Doom Eternal was originally due out at the end of 2019, but it was delayed into 2020 with id Software citing a need for more time to polish the game. Some reports suggest it's specifically the multiplayer modes that the company is working to improve though neither the studio nor publisher have been so specific. In 2016's game, it was the multiplayer most critics had a problem with.
Doom Eternal launches on March 20 for Xbox One, PS4, Stadia, and PC.
