Anticipation is building for Doom: The Dark Ages, the eighth installment in the iconic franchise and a narrative prequel to the 2016 Doom reboot.  Set to launch on May 15, 2025, The Dark Ages follows 2020's Doom Eternal and promises a return to the fast-paced, demon-slaying action fans have come to love.  However, the game's innovative approach to difficulty has sparked controversy, with some labeling the customizable options as "woke."

Director Hugo Martin addressed the controversy in a recent interview with ComicBook.com.  The Dark Ages features a slider-based system allowing players to fine-tune various aspects of the gameplay experience.  Beyond standard difficulty presets, players can adjust game speed, enemy aggression, and damage values for both themselves and enemies.  This granular control has drawn criticism from some players who believe it diminishes the core challenge of the game, branding it as "woke."

"I disagree with that assessment," Martin stated.  "The goal of the slider system is to provide an optimal experience for all players, from newcomers to seasoned veterans. If we offer the option to slow the game down, we must also allow players to increase the speed." He emphasized that the sliders are not just about making the game easier but also offer the potential for a significantly more challenging experience.

Since the game's announcement, fans have speculated about the future of the Doom reboot trilogy. Some worried that The Dark Ages would mark the end of this era.  However, Martin confirmed in January that this isn't the case, expressing his enthusiasm for continuing to work on the franchise for "a long time."

Doom Eternal's success, with over 100,000 concurrent Steam users at launch and over $450 million in revenue within a year, has undoubtedly fueled anticipation for The Dark Ages.  Rumors also suggest a potential Nintendo Switch 2 release, although this remains unconfirmed.  Fans hoping for clarification can look forward to the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2nd for more details on launch titles.