Doom Eternal Horde Mode Announced, Battlemode Getting Improved

July 2, 2021

Id Software announced its most recent entry in the first-person shooter franchise, Doom Eternal, will be receiving a single-player horde mode in lieu of its previously announced Invasion Mode. Additionally, the developer plans to refresh its current multiplayer mode Battlemode.

An important update on the development of DOOM Eternal from id Software Executive Producer Marty Stratton. pic.twitter.com/RPfhek2crI

— id Software (@idSoftware) July 2, 2021

The shift in focus was announced in an update from id Software executive producer Marty Stratton. As written in the update, the cancellation of the Invasion Mode is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shift to working remotely. Additionally, the creation of the new Doom Eternal horde mode is due to the fan feedback on both The Ancient Gods expansions, and master levels.

Stratton also mentioned that Battlemode is getting a bit of a rework, including more a competitive structure, a new map, gameplay improvements, and balance updates. Information on both the new Doom Eternal horde mode and Battlemode updates is expected to be revealed at this year’s QuakeCon, which is currently scheduled for August 19 through August 21.

Here is what Stratton said in the update about the upcoming changes:

“As many are aware, we intended to release a free Invasion Mode update for the game; however, the unforeseen consequences of the pandemic and remote working impacted the progress of development for this addition. Over this time, we have also seen and heard how many of you enjoy the range of gameplay and combat available in the expansions and master levels. With these factors in mind, we have decided to redirect our focus from Invasion Mode to creating a totally new single-player horde mode. We’re confident this horde mode will offer you more of the diversity and challenge you’re looking for in the game. In addition, the team continues to work on a refresh of BattleMode that includes a more competitive, rank-based structure, a number of gameplay and balance updates and another new map. We expect to share more information at QuakeCon in August.”

Doom Eternal‘s Invasion Mode was a previously announced post-launch mode that would allow players to join another player’s game and control enemies. However, it seems that challenges arose due to the pandemic last year, which led to its cancellation.

Stratton’s update also talks about Doom Eternal‘s most recent update, simply titled “Update 6.” This came alongside the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game that enabled ray tracing.