id SoftwareFans who have already obtained physical copies of Doom: The Dark Ages have reported that the game disc included doesn’t contain the entire game’s files.
The FPS sequel will be available in both physical and digital formats, although the former will still require a hefty download before play is possible.
Per DoesItPlay?, a website “dedicated to the preservation of video games and their respective systems,” users with access to id Software’s shooter reported that only a fraction of Doom: The Dark Ages’ files are present on the game disc right out of the box.
“Only 85 MB on disc. When trying to launch the game, you will be asked to update online and download the entire build,” reads the site’s comments.
On X/Twitter, the site shared screenshots obtained from a Patreon supporter showing a total file size of 85.01MB, followed by a screenshot of a screen stating, “You must connect to the internet to update Doom: The Dark Ages.”
Steam download size comparison
On Steam, The Dark Ages’ minimum and recommended system requirements stipulate that 100GB of storage space is required to download the game, around 67GB of which can be preloaded ahead of May 15.
DoesItPlay? reported that physical copies of the Xbox Series X version contained “roughly 300MB” of data, which, when downloaded, displays “a screen with three versions to choose for downloading.”
It’s worth noting that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, another Bethesda-published title, didn’t include the full game files on disc, requiring an internet connection to download the remainder before play was possible.
In a similar vein, it emerged on April 24 that physical copies of most third-party Switch 2 games will contain a Game Key Card that unlocks the ability to download the associated game from the Nintendo eShop rather than the full game itself.
Related
Doom: The Dark Ages releases on May 15.