“We’re constantly refining how heavy he feels. Everything he does is big and powerful,” said creative director Hugo Martin

After its gameplay deep dive at the Xbox Developer_Direct, id Software’s DOOM: The Dark Ages has become one of this year’s most anticipated games. Going from a speedier Doom Slayer to a more ground-heavy, hulking figure that batters demons looks very appealing, never mind piloting an Atlan mech or having a dragon mount.

What inspired id Software to opt for a heavier version of the Slayer? In a Q&A session attended by True Achievements, creative director Hugo Martin said that Frank Miller’s Batman comics played a big part. He even confirmed that the leaked codename for the title, DOOM Year Zero, was a homage to Batman: Year One.

“My all-time favorite comic, which, big surprise, I think it’s a favorite comic of many people, is Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight. He showed a depiction of Batman that was huge. He was amazing. He was powerful. He looked like a tank[…] Everything about his arsenal is powerful. He just looked awesome, and it was like, ‘I’d love to make a slayer like that,’ like a heavier, powerful Slayer,” said Martin.

He also felt that id Software hit the mobility limit in DOOM Eternal. “There was no more speed and acrobatics to pull out of Doom Eternal. I mean, Doom Eternal and its DLCs, we’re proud of that game. It stands on its own, as does Doom (2016), but this felt like a variation on the Doom Slayer power fantasy that was worth exploring and would feel good to the players.

“He’s not easy. We’re constantly refining how heavy he feels. I mean, when he walks, you can hear it. Everything he does is big and powerful, and it feels awesome.”

DOOM: The Dark Ages launches on May 15th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC while launching on day one for Game Pass. It’s also rumored to be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders for the title will receive two days of early access, while Premium Edition owners get the Divinity Skin Pack and campaign DLC.