Doom open beta starts on tax day
That's right, with Doom's closed beta wrapping up over the weekend, the closed beta starts April 15th and runs through April 17th. I think there's some Faustian irony in there somewhere but regardless Bethesda has also announced some post-launch DLC and a pricing format.
There will ultimately be three paid multiplayer DLC packs, each costing $14.99, with a season pass going for $39.99. The first will include 3 new maps, 1 new weapon, 1 new playable demon, 1 new armor set, 1 new piece of equipment and a variety of hack modules, taunts and customizable color patterns.
As usual I'm rarely happy with content being doled out as DLC when it should be included as part of the game. This opens up some uncomfortable "pay to win" questions in regard to competitive play. That said at least it's for multiplayer and not the solo campaign. I don't want to pay $15 to use the BFG in the main game.
We??re pleased to announce DOOM??s Open Beta will run from April 15 through 17. This Open Beta will not require a code and players will simply be able to logon to the platform of their choice and download to access Team Deathmatch and Warpath on the Heatwave and Infernal maps.
These maps and modes are just a fraction of what players will experience when the game launches May 13 on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. In a recent video series we explored the maps, modes and power-ups of DOOM??s multiplayer ?? all things players have to look forward to at launch. But support for DOOM doesn??t end when the game is out. For the rest of the year, we expect to provide certain free content updates across SnapMap and multiplayer.
We know the DOOM community has always been about great user-generated content, and that??s something we want to continue to encourage with SnapMap, an innovative new component of DOOM designed to make creating, sharing and playing new game experiences fast and easy. On top of being able to access and play new modes and maps created by fellow gamers, id plans to offer content updates for SnapMap, including map modules; props and objects; additional features and functionality; AI enhancements; editing tool enhancements and more. Multiplayer will also receive content updates in the form of new game modes. Both of these SnapMap and multiplayer updates will be free to use and play.
In addition to the planned free support and content updates, we will also be releasing three premium multiplayer DLC packs after launch, which will get you a number of new maps, hack modules, playable demons, weapons and more. The first DLC will be available this summer and give you access to:
· Three new maps
· One new weapon
· One new playable demon
· One new armor set
· One new piece of equipment
· New hack modules and taunts
· New customization colors and patterns
Each DLC pack will cost $14.99, or you can get them all at a discount with the Season Pass for $39.99. Check your preferred retailer to pre-order the DOOM Season Pass.
For more information about the game please visit www.DOOM.com.
