A huge amount of information was recently revealed aboutDoom: The Dark Agesat the Xbox Developer Direct on January 23, with anticipation starting to build around the title before its May 15 release date. Fans were given insight into the combat, exploration, themes, and narrative of the upcoming project, with the game shaping up to be a logical and exciting extension of theDoomfranchise’s successful reboot.
The narrative premise ofDoom: The Dark Agesseems like a fascinating way for iD Software to fill in the blanks of the Doom Slayer’s origins and power, but there is one aspect of the upcoming game that has come as a disappointment to fans of theDoomfranchise since 2016. It was confirmed at the Developer Direct that Mick Gordon will not be the soundtrack composer forThe Dark Ages, with the massively successful work that the Australian producer has done for the IP coming to a predictable end following the controversy surroundingDoom Eternal.
The Lingering Controversy Around Doom Eternal Has Dampened the Hype Around The Dark Ages
Followingthe massive success and cultural influence of theDoomfranchise throughout the 1990s, it was clear that iD Software had a huge undertaking ahead of itself to successfully reboot the franchise and continue its long run in the gaming industry’s spotlight. Not only did this reboot move away from the divisive survival horror elements of titles likeDoom 3in favor of more chaotic and high-octane gameplay, but it made a huge effort to evolve other iconicDoomelements like art-style and music.
Music has always been a deeply important aspect ofDoom’s success and recognizability, with the 2016 reboot of the IP putting the gargantuan task of music composition in the hands of Mick Gordon. A huge amount of this reboot’s positive reception can be attributed to the amazing job Gordon did at crafting the music ofDoom’s new era, with Gordon going on to win several awards and even receiving a BAFTA nomination for his work on 2016’sDoom.
It seemed clear why this relationship between Mick Gordon and iD Software was continued for the development of 2020’sDoom Eternal, and, despite the generally positive reception of the game’s soundtrack, the working relationship between Gordon and iD Software was severed due to ongoing disputes throughout the development process. The rapidly shifting and expanding schedule ofDoom Eternalallegedly led to last minute musical rewrites for game levels that had not even been created, withGordon publicly explaining his pay disputes with iD Softwarewhile also alleging a toxic culture of mismanagement, stolen work, and poor leadership at the studio.
In his statement, Mick Gordon alleged that he had not been paid for over half the work he produced forDoom Eternal, with his name also being allegedly attached to the game’s OST before he had even signed a contract.
Doom: The Dark Ages' New Musical Direction Opens Up Old Wounds
This led to a very public back and forth between Mick Gordon and iD Executive Producer Marty Strattonin which the majority ofDoomfans sided with Gordon, and while the two parties have now parted ways, the legacy of this feud is hard to ignore forDoom: The Dark Ages. As expected, Mick Godon was not announced as the composer forDoom: The Dark Agesat the recent Developer Direct, with this task instead going to long-time Microsoft collaborator Finishing Move.
While the long track record of Finishing Move’s music for games likeBorderlands 3andHalo Wars 2hopefully bodes well for a memorable soundtrack withinThe Dark Ages, it is hard to ignore the sad circumstances around this change that have cast a shadow over the critically acclaimed work that Mick Gordon has previously done for the franchise. There is, of course, a lot to still be excited about in terms ofthe gameplay changes and narrative direction ofThe Dark Ages, and the upcoming title can hopefully lay to rest the long-standing public dispute that has hung over the franchise for so long.
