Xbox players discover hack to play one of 2025's biggest games early

We're getting a (literal) blast from the past as Doom: The Dark Ages prepares to slice its way into our lives. Getting ready to gut the gaming competition in 2025, id Software is releasing the much-anticipated follow-up to 2020's Doom: Eternal.

The Doom games have quite the history, and although Wolfenstein 3D is arguably remembered as the 'first' mainstream first-person shooter, it fell into the shadows of the OG Doom when it was released in 1993. Although there have been numerous sequels and spin-off games over the years, the franchise really made its mark with 2016's reboot. Doom: Eternal served as a sequel, and while some hoped for a continuation of that arc, we're going back to Medieval times to see how things started for the Doom Slayer.

Looking like the bloodiest outing yet, Doom: The Dark Ages is living up to the 'dark' part of its name, especially with the gnarly introduction of the Shield Saw.

Horror fans quite literally can't wait for its May 15 release, and with parent company Bethesda now sitting under the Xbox umbrella, Game Pass players can enjoy it as part of their subscription.

Still, with Doom: The Dark Ages looking like a contender for 2025's biggest game now that GTA 6 has been shunted into 2026, some are trying to suit up early. You can already pre-load Doom: The Dark Ages, but those willing to stump up for Doom: The Dark Ages Premium Edition’s upgrade option can jump into the action from midnight UTC on May 13. Boasting two days of early access, a digital artbook and soundtrack, the Divinity Skin Pack, and access to an upcoming Campaign DLC, it's well worth the price of admission.

While some are willing to wait to get it 'free' on Game Pass, many simply can't wait.

Costing $34.99 for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, Doom aficionados might want to check it out. Of course, those happy to wait two days will be able to experience it for themselves, although you’ll need to remain a Game Pass subscriber to keep playing. The concept of paying $35 just to play a game early when you can get it as part of your subscription a few days later remains controversial. One gamer took to Reddit to say: "It looks like every Xbox game will get an early access version now. I can wait a few days for Doom but if Fable ends up being good they’ll get my $35."

Another grumbled: "There are a couple of things that irritate me right now with the game pass, one of which is the delayed access you get for most games because they are selling early access passes to almost every game.

"Stuff like that irritates me because you weren’t really giving game pass users day one access they’re getting day five access and they’ve just moved the way they are selling game pass by saying that everyone who buys the game in the deluxe version gets early access."

The Doom games aren't exactly known for their story, but if you want to avoid spoilers and are waiting until the May 15 Game Pass drop, it might be best to stay off the internet for the next few days.