Doom 4: the cancelled game and its impact on the franchise

In brief

Doom 4, which entered development in 2007, was cancelled in 2013. The game aimed to deliver a more military-style FPS experience, earning it the nickname “Call of Doom” within the community. Recently, new footage and animations from the cancelled project have surfaced, reigniting debate about the direction of the franchise.

GAME-scanner analysis

Development on Doom 4 was troubled, with a focus on a realistic, military tone that didn’t align well with fan expectations. Bethesda VP of marketing Pete Hines said the project was “just not Doom,” highlighting the gap between the new direction and the franchise’s core identity. The recent reveal of concept art and animations has sparked fresh discussion about Doom’s identity. It also offers a glimpse of what was lost when the project was cancelled.

What does this mean for players?

For players, the cancellation of Doom 4 means they never got the chance to experience this alternate take on the franchise. The resurfaced footage may trigger a sense of nostalgia, but it also underscores the risks of creative choices that don’t resonate with the core player base. Doom’s successful 2016 reboot showed that returning to the franchise’s roots was the right call. That raises the question of whether Doom 4 was a missed opportunity or a necessary step in the series’ evolution.