Co-Op Explained | Doom: The Dark Ages
Image Credits: id Software, DOOM: Dark Ages
If you were hoping to rip and tear alongside a friend in Doom: The Dark Ages, here’s the short version: there’s no co-op or multiplayer of any kind. This entry is 100% focused on a solo campaign, and id Software made that choice on purpose.
The developers have openly explained that cutting multiplayer allowed them to push the campaign further than any previous Doom game. That means more scope, more mechanics, and more ridiculous features like dragon-riding and mech-punching that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
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Why No Co-op?
Executive producer Marty Stratton confirmed during an Xbox Developer Direct that The Dark Ages is a campaign-only experience. The team’s goal was to make the biggest, most feature-rich single-player campaign in the franchise’s history, and that meant focusing all their time and resources into one mode instead of spreading it across competitive or co-op options.
In short, there’s no co-op because every ounce of development effort went into making the campaign as massive and polished as possible.
What About NPC Allies?
While there’s no true co-op, this is the first Doom game where you’re not always fighting alone. In some missions, you'll be supported by AI allies, like Sentinels or dragons flying overhead, but don’t expect any co-op split-screen or online buddy system. You’re still the Slayer, and you’re still doing the heavy lifting solo.
Final Blurb
Doom: The Dark Ages drops multiplayer entirely so it can go all-in on the campaign. That means no co-op, no deathmatch, and no invasions — just one massive, feature-packed story that lets you ride dragons, crush demons in a mech, and slice through Hell without compromise.
FAQ
Q: Is there any form of co-op in Doom: The Dark Ages?
No, the game is strictly single-player with no multiplayer or co-op modes.
Q: Can NPCs fight alongside you?
Yes, some story moments include AI allies, but they’re not controllable or tied to co-op mechanics.
Q: Will co-op be added in a future update or DLC?
There’s no indication that co-op will be added later. The game was designed as a solo experience from the ground up.
Q: Why didn’t they include multiplayer like previous Doom games?
The devs wanted to focus completely on the campaign. Dropping multiplayer freed up time and resources for bigger ideas, like the dragon and mech sections.
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