Skip to main content

id Software responds to PC gamers' complaints about the Doom multiplayer open beta

Doom Multiplayer Beta
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Many Doom fans have been waiting a long time for the 2016 installment, simply named Doom. Bethesda offered a limited, closed beta not too long ago and then another limited, public beta on April 15. Unfortunately, the latter two-map multiplayer “demo’ didn’t sit well with fans on the PC, who took to the Doom public beta listing on Steam (as personally noted here) and literally tore the game apart.

Of course, that listing is gone now that the open beta has ended. However, the backlash was heavy enough for id Software to jump onto Bethesda’s website and address a number of complaints, which include graphical issues like capped frame rates and the inability to change video settings within the beta. Thankfully, the Bethesda-owned developer says the final PC version, slated for May 13, will definitely not have capped frame rates, so don’t fret.

Recommended Videos

“Further, the PC version of Doom will expose a comprehensive set of advanced game and rendering options that will allow players to dial the experience up or down based on their individual desires or hardware capabilities,” says id Software Chief Technology Officer Robert Duffy.

Specifically, the frame rates will be uncapped, while the game will support 21:9 monitors in the process. Doom will also provide a number of advanced settings so that PC gamers can set the desired balance between performance and eye candy. A long list of expected settings is provided in Duffy’s response including a lens flare toggle, a motion blur quality toggle, reflections quality, UI opacity, and loads more.

“We also know many of you are interested in some deeper insight into the types of fundamental changes we’ve made to our engine technology over the last few years,” Duffy adds. “In the coming weeks, we’ll be giving you an inside look at idTech 6 engine architecture, our rendering pipeline, our customization tech and other initiatives we have underway to broaden our minimum PC spec even further than our current expectations.”

Unfortunately, the graphical issues weren’t the only complaints made by Steam gamers playing the open beta. Many complained that movement was just too slow, and that the weapons weren’t balanced correctly. For example, a shotgun blast in the face was nearly an instant kill, while it took a number of rockets to take down an opponent (splash damage was supposedly not very effective).

Many of the complaints we saw on Steam said Doom was a mash-up of Halo and Call of Duty. However, probably the biggest criticisms involved the game’s loadout and progression systems, which are new to the Doom franchise. Bethesda and id Software have heavily promoted the multiplayer aspect, indicating fast, arena-based gameplay, but hopeful open beta players found it to be otherwise.

With the game going gold next month, making last-minute changes to the multiplayer aspect to appease the longtime core Doom fans will likely not happen. It is what it is apparently, and fans will have to place their faith in the single-player campaign when hoping for a trip back to the glorious days of classic run-and-gun shootouts in Doom. Hey, there’s always the classics on Steam to satisfy your cravings if the new installment doesn’t cut it.

Until the final version hits stores next month, you can check out our hands-on with the closed multiplayer beta of Doom that took place in early April right here.

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
Monster Hunter Outlanders is the most ambitious Monster Hunter mobile game yet
Key art for Monster Hunter Outlanders.

Capcom and TiMi Studio Group announced Monster Hunter Outlanders for iOS and Android today. Unlike previous Monster Hunter games for mobile, Outlanders will more closely emulate console games with a large 3D open world to explore, real-time gameplay and combat, and cooperative hunting.

Previous Monster Hunter mobile games include Monster Hunter Now, which applied the Pokémon Go formula to Capcom's long-running series, and the matching game Monster Hunter Puzzle: Felyne Isles. In 2022, the Tencent-owned TiMi Studio Group announced its partnership with Capcom and intention to create a new mobile game that would "reproduce the hunting actions that define the Monster Hunter series." TiMi developers have created mobile adaptations of franchises like Age of Empires and Call of Duty.

Read more
Wordle Today: Wordle answer and hints for November 13
Someone playing Wordle on a smartphone.

We have the solution to Wordle on July 16, as well as some helpful hints to help you figure out the answer yourself, right here. We've placed the answer at the bottom of the page, so we don't ruin the surprise before you've had a chance to work through the clues. So let's dive in, starting with a reminder of yesterday's answer.
Yesterday's Wordle answer
Let's start by first reminding ourselves of yesterday's Wordle answer for those new to the game or who don't play it daily, which was "FLOWN." So we can say that the Wordle answer today definitely isn't that. Now, with that in mind, perhaps take another stab at it using one of these Wordle starting words and circle back if you have no luck.
Hints for today's Wordle
Still can't figure it out? We have today's Wordle answer right here, below. But first, one more thing: Let's take a look at three hints that could help you find the solution, without giving it away, so there's no need to feel guilty about keeping your streak alive -- you put in some work, after all! Or just keep scrolling for the answer.

Today’s Wordle includes the letter P.
Today’s Wordle uses one vowel.
Today's Wordle is a word for perfecting your looks.

Read more
NYT Connections: hints and answers for Wednesday, November 13
New York Times' Connection puzzle open in the NYT Games app on iOS.

Connections is one of the best puzzle games from the New York Times. The game tasks you with categorizing a pool of 16 words into four secret (for now) groups by figuring out how the words relate to each other. The puzzle resets every night at midnight and each new puzzle has a varying degree of difficulty. Just like Wordle, you can keep track of your winning streak and compare your scores with friends.

Some days are trickier than others — just like other NYT Games favorites The Mini and Strands. If you're having a little trouble solving today's puzzle, check out our Connections tips and tricks guide for some good strategies or check out the hints for today's Connections puzzle below. And if you still can't get it, we'll tell you today's answers at the very end.
How to play Connections

Read more