It's time for all hell to break loose. Bethesda has given fans something to sate their appetites with as they await the May 13 release of "Doom," announcing the closed beta dates for the upcoming shooter alongside the release of a new multiplayer trailer.
The good news is that the closed beta will run for four days, from March 31 at 10 p.m. ET to April 3 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The bad news? As is implied by the term "closed beta," only a select group of people will be able to participate. In this case, only those who have pre-ordered "Wolfenstein: The New Order," need apply. If you're one of those who have, instructions on how to redeem a code or activate the beta can be found on the Doom website.
There is no word yet if there will be an open beta down the road which "is to be determined by Bethesda in its discretion." Additionally, to cement the fact that the program is only available to those who pre-ordered "Wolfenstein: The New Order," there doesn't appear to be anywhere for fans to register or get their names on a list.
In addition to the beta dates, Bethesda released a trailer that showed off some of the multiplayer, as well as the new transformations that can occur when players either pick up a Demon Rune or kill someone who is in possession of it. Three transformations that were shown off appear to be a Baron of Hell (heavy melee), a possible new design for Arch-vile (light melee) and the Mancubus, though that particular demon was only seen in the final shot.
Specifically, here is what players can expect to find in the beta:
- Maps: Heatwave and Infernal.
- Game Modes: 6 v. 6 Team Deathmatch and Warpath.
- Demon: Revenant.
- Weapons: Rocket Launcher, Plasma Rifle, Super Shotgun, Vortex Rifle, Static Rifle, Heavy Assault Rifle and Lightning Gun.
- Power Weapons: Gauss Cannon.
- Equipment: Frag Grenade, Personal Teleporter, Siphon Grenade.
Bethesda noted that there will be system requirements as well, though it stressed that they aren't final and that the GeForce GTX 750 Ti and mobile GPUs will not be supported.
Minimum Spec (720p)
- Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit versions only).
- Intel Core i5-2400 or better, AMD FX-8320 or better.
- 8 GB RAM.
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 (2GB) or better, AMD Radeon HD 7870 (2GB) or better.
- Up to 22GB HDD space.
- Steam account.
- Broadband Internet connection.
Recommended Spec (1080p)
- Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit versions only).
- Intel Core i7-3770 or better, AMD FX-8350 or better.
- 8GB RAM.
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (4GB) or better / AMD Radeon R9 290 (4GB) or better.
- Up to 22GB HDD space.
- Steam account.
- Broadband Internet connection.
The multiplayer aims to please in "Doom's" latest installment and developer id Software has taken steps to ensure that the mode is a success. One such measure was teaming up with Certain Affinity to produce the multiplayer part of the game. Certain Affinity has enjoyed many successes in the past and have contributed to the multiplayer development of titles such as Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Call of Duty: Ghosts and Halo 4.
As stated before, Doom is due for release on PS4, Xbox One and PC on May 13.
Check out "Doom's" official multiplayer trailer below:
