Update: Bethesda has responded to the issues surrounding the re-releases of DOOM, stating that the online log-in through Bethesda.net should be optional instead of mandatory. According to a tweet, the log-in was intended to bestow rewards for the online Slayer's Club only, and that a fix to the mandatory log-in is in the works.
In addition to the log-in issues, Bethesda also commented on the problems regarding previous purchases on Xbox Live. Another tweet noted that players who purchased the Xbox 360 versions of the games can now re-download them to their Xbox One. The inaccessible tag from the "Ready to Install" dashboard has also been fixed.
Original Story: The PC classic FPS DOOM, along with its sequels DOOM 2 and DOOM 3, received a surprise release today. You can now venture to hell on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as part of the QuakeCon 2019 festivities. The first two games in the trilogy are also releasing on Android and iOS. You can grab both DOOM and DOOM 2 for $5, while DOOM 3 (which includes the BFG Edition enhancements) costs $10. Panic Button, the same team that brought DOOM 2016 to Nintendo Switch, brought all three games to all platforms.
However, the launch is not without major faults. The biggest thus far has been the addition of linking a Bethesda.net account, which has caught many fans off guard. Especially since none of the ports have online multiplayer or other network features. In addition to this removal, the XBLA port of DOOM 2 contained a bonus campaign, called No Rest for the Living. This content is missing from the new version and now only available in DOOM 3: BFG Edition. Those who previously purchased the game on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 do not get a discount or free downloads for the newer versions.
https://twitter.com/DOOM/status/1154788818970714112
Logging into the Bethesda.net account seems to be only a one-time requirement, barring the occasional check-ins as most sign-ins do. However, upon first use, the games do require internet for these sign-ins. Some fans report that the release work in airplane mode once players sign into Bethesda.net once.
https://twitter.com/KazuCrash_/status/1154811430245416960
The three games are also causing issues due to being different versions than previous console incarnations. Xbox 360 players are noting that DOOM and DOOM 2 is no longer backward compatible on Xbox One. Furthermore, deleting the games from their systems make them disappear for good, which is a step further than most delisted games on the service. The physical version of DOOM 3 BFG Edition does work as a last resort, allowing players to install all three titles for backward compatibility.
TechRaptor has contacted Bethesda for further information regarding both the backward compatible situation and the Bethesda.net accounts. We shall update this article accordingly if they respond.
What are your thoughts on all of this? Is Bethesda asking too much for DOOM here? Leave your comments below.
