Doom: The Dark Ages is generating significant buzz in the gaming community, particularly regarding its Disc Installers.
Set for release on May 15 for both PS5 and Xbox Series X, the title has ignited controversy over the minimal amount of data included on physical copies.
With reports suggesting that these copies contain a mere 85MB to 400MB of data, players will face a requirement of approximately 85GB for game downloads.
This article will delve into the ramifications of such limited disc content and what it means for gamers and the industry as a whole.
Next-Generation Release Highlights
The wait ends on May 15 when the game storms onto PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
Doom: The Dark Ages brings the franchise into a new era, tailored exclusively for next-gen hardware
With no support for last-gen consoles, the game sets a new benchmark for immersive performance, harnessing the full power of modern GPUs, ultra-fast SSDs, and high-refresh-rate capabilities
The limited physical release has already stirred attention due to discs containing minimal data—only between 85MB and 400MB—pushing players to download an approximately 85GB digital install to access the full experience
This bold move cements the title’s identity as a next-gen game through and through, designed for those embracing the full technical leap into modern gaming
IGN’s latest coverage reinforces why this format serves the game’s ambition
The Minimal Disc Installer Method
Minimal disc installers are a growing trend in the gaming industry, where physical copies of games contain only a small amount of data on the disc itself.
Instead of offering a complete installation, players are often required to download large portions of the game, leading to frustrations among consumers.
The recent controversy surrounding Doom: The Dark Ages highlights these concerns, as its physical editions reportedly contain only 85MB to 400MB, necessitating an extensive download of around 85GB to access the full experience.
Data Footprint Breakdown
DOOM: The Dark Ages physical editions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have sparked backlash as the discs themselves offer only a fraction of the actual game data.
Players expecting a full game on disc are surprised to learn they must still download nearly the entire game to play, making physical editions functionally similar to digital keys.
This raises concerns for game preservation and offline access, especially months or years after the servers change or go offline.
| Platform | Disc Data | Download Size |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 | 85 MB | 85 GB |
| Xbox Series X | 324 MB | 85 GB |
User Experience and Community Feedback
Gamers eagerly awaiting Doom: The Dark Ages have expressed frustration and concern over the unexpected burden caused by its physical disc release for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Despite the availability of disc formats with ample space, reports show that PS5 players receive only 85MB of data on disc, while Xbox discs carry around 400MB, forcing a required download of up to 85GB to play the game.
This decision has deeply impacted users with slow connections, metered data plans, or limited hardware storage.
- Bandwidth strain for users with data caps.
- Extended installation times due to required downloads.
- Storage management issues on consoles with limited SSDs.
This publishing choice also sparked debate since the PS5 standard Blu-ray format allows for 100GB capacity—more than enough to hold the full game.
Players are questioning why a full installation wasn’t provided, especially when dependable disc usage enhances game preservation and offline access.
“Bought the physical edition to avoid downloads, and I still had to wait hours just to start playing.
What’s even the point of physical media anymore?”
The controversy surrounding Doom: The Dark Ages highlights ongoing debates in the gaming world regarding physical media and digital downloads.
As players navigate the challenges posed by limited Disc Installers, the future of game distribution continues to evolve.
