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Doom Eternal DLC “The Ancient Gods” can be played without owning the base game

It appears that Bethesda is taking a novel approach to Doom Eternal’s upcoming expansion/DLC titled ‘The Ancient Gods’ part one. This single-player expansion will be a completely standalone episode that can be purchased on its own and played without having the base game.

This means that anyone can buy and play it, even if they don’t own the full Doom Eternal base game, or haven’t completed the main campaign. This appears to be a wise move by Bethesda, since not a lot of people typically buy post-release DLC due to higher costs of the deluxe editions.

Bethesda recently confirmed this in a press statement, at yesterday’s Gamescom Opening Night Live event. The expansion will also come with the Battle Mode for free.

As the press release reads:

“For players who don’t own the Year One Pass, The Ancient Gods, Part One will be available to purchase separately and will include free access to BATTLEMODE. Players do not need to own DOOM Eternal to purchase and play The Ancient Gods, Part One”.

“When we look at how many people have played through the game we have a large percentage – higher than 2016 – that have completed it, so you’re always looking at that and seeing how far players make it through your game,” executive producer Marty Stratton told PCGamesN. “It’s important as we want the DLC to reach as many people as possible. In fact, you don’t even need to own Doom Eternal to buy the DLC and play it.”

Creative director Hugo Martin sees The Ancient Ones as more than just an expansion.

“Most people would associate DLC with being of smaller scope – it’s kind of like the made for TV version of the movie, and the movie was the main game. For us, this is very much like a two-part film – this is every bit as grand as the main game was.”

The Ancient Gods, Part One will be available at no additional cost for players who own the DOOM Eternal Year One Pass or the Digital Deluxe edition. For players who don’t own the Year One Pass, The Ancient Gods, Part One will be available to purchase separately and will include free access to BATTLEMODE.

The Ancient Gods Part One will be available as a standalone purchase for $19.99. The game releases on October 20, 2020.

DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part One Official Trailer

21 thoughts on “Doom Eternal DLC “The Ancient Gods” can be played without owning the base game”

  1. i finished eternal in two or three sittings and that’s something that i haven’t done since i was a kid but i just wanted to see how it ends otherwise it was very disappointing compared to doom 2016. still better than 90 percent of games coming out these days.

  2. There is a huge void in the story between the end of 2016 and start of eternal. Hope they cover that up in their DLCs apart from setting it up for part 3 (or whatever it’s going to be called)

  3. Pass. The main game apart from dash is a downgrade in every single department from Doom 2016. Also Serious Sam 4 can’t come soon enough.

    1. i agree with the first part but then picking serious sam 4 that the only way these series is interesting to me is with the doom 2016 mod…come on.

    2. But this game is at least still better than other major AAA/AA titles which are coming out these days, imho.

      Of course, Serious Sam 4 is also on my list, apart from this new DLC. I’m kind of addicted to first-person shooters though.

  4. Pass. The main game apart from dash is a downgrade in every single department from Doom 2016. Also Serious Sam 4 can’t come soon enough.

      1. DOOM 2016 is a blast and it’s way better 1000times than Eternal but at the same time DOOM Eternal is good game

      2. are you insane? metal dark corridor awful spawning weak guns simulator is one of the worst fps that came out in that era.

        and of course live it to biohazard who always has bad tastes to like this comment.

  5. “The Ancient Gods Part One will be available as a standalone purchase for $19.99. ”

    so how many levels does it pack?

  6. Kinda glad I skipped Eternal, it sounded like a real letdown. Plus they doubled down on all the tiresome melee stuff.

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