The video game industry was rocked this week by the announcement thatMicrosoft acquired Zenimax Media. However, as big as this may be on paper, the full ramifications of the acquisition remain to be confirmed, and questions regarding platform exclusivity for future games, as well as how Game Pass fits into the equation, remain to be answered. Yet the Xbox team may be ready to share its first decision, as a recent message on Twitter heavily hints atDoomcoming to Game Pass.
The official Xbox Game Pass Twitter account shared a message from made-up Microsoft EVP Melissa McGamepass. The message starts by hinting at big news coming soon, but the information is redacted and reads, “Low [sic] and behold, REDACTED is coming to the service very soon!” Xbox fans on social media were quick to speculate, throwing out franchises likeFallout,The Elder Scrolls, and others that could come to Game Passat any time.
RELATED:Microsoft Likely to Buy More Game Studios After Zenimax
It took only a short while forXbox fansto realize that Melissa McGamepass' message hid a secret. When the letters at the head of each sentence are put together, they form a curious clue by spelling out, “LOOK BELOW.” Another clue is hidden beneath Melissa’s name in a message that can only be seen by adjusting the image’s contrast and brightness. “Look below” is meant literally as the message reads, “THE SLAYER IS COMING.”
Slayer almost certainly refers to id Software’sDoomprotagonist, who is commonly referred to as theDoom Slayer. As such, “The Slayer is coming” is probably a hint thatDoomis coming to Game Pass sooner rather than later.
The first obvious titles that would make sense on Game Pass would be theDoomreboot from 2016, as well as its2020 sequelDoom Eternal. Those games already run on PC and Xbox One, so offering them on Game Pass is probably within id and Microsoft’s ability to do quickly. However, id Software could just as easily release any olderDoomtitles on Game Pass too.
How soon is “soon” remains unclear.Doomcould be released on Game Passwithin weeks, but there may also be a significant amount of red tape before Microsoft, as a business, can move forward with these kinds of decisions.Doomfans on Xbox can start to get excited, but should also be patient. Expect more information as Xbox is able to share it.
Doom Eternalis available now on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One, and will be coming to PS5, Switch, and the Xbox Series X and S in the future.
