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Bethesda reveals plans to hold an open beta for players starting next week and outlines post-launch downloadable content plans for its fast paced arena shooter, DOOM .
After coming off a successful closed beta run last week, Bethesda and id Software are dropping even more information this week on what kind of content players can expect to see after DOOM finally hits store shelves. Not only that, fans who did not have a chance to participate in the closed beta last week will have one more chance to try out the game before launch, thanks to recently announced open beta plans.
Starting next week on April 15, fans on all three platforms will be able to download theopen beta without the need of a code and participate in the multiplayer focused Team Deathmatch and Warpath modes. The beta is set to run throughout the weekend until April 18 and fans will have access to the same guns and unlocks as seen in the closed betaincluding the two maps, Heatwave and Inferno.
Everyone’s invited: Play the #DOOMOpen Beta April 15-17 #FightLikeHell pic.twitter.com/wkFEYnoOfL— DOOM (@DOOM) April 6, 2016
For those wondering about post-launch content, Bethesda has revealed that players can expect an assortment of free and paid downloadable content packs. Coming throughout the rest of the year, free updates will add new modes and enhancements to the multiplayer side while map modules and AI enhancements are planned for the community driven creation tool, SnapMap.
In addition, three premium downloadable content packs are also planned and include various items from new maps, hack modules, playable demon spawns, weapons, and more. Each premium DLC pack is available for standalone purchase at $14.99 or players can opt to pick up the season pass for $39.99 and get everything as it releases over time.
To whet the appetite of fans, Bethesda has also announced the still slightly vague details of the first premium DLC pack when it launches sometime this summer including: Three new maps One new weapon One new playable demon One new armour set One new piece of equipment New hack modules and taunts New customization colors and patterns
The choice to keep new maps behind a paywall is an interesting choice, especially as other shooter focused games like Halo 5: Guardians and Rainbow Six Siege have opted to keep all post-launch maps free for playerswhich helps in preventing the community from fragmenting. The big difference between a game like DOOM and those previously mentioned titles is that they contain microtransactions, while DOOM does not. The choice to keep maps inside of DLC could be attributed to that fact as it doesn’t have a sure fire way to make additional money, like the others who are raking it in hand over fist.
Are you ready to jump back into DOOM when it launches in May? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
DOOM launches on May 13, 2016 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.
Source: DOOM Twitter