After its gameplay deep dive at the Xbox Developer_Direct, id Softwares DOOM: The Dark Ages has become one of this years most anticipated games. Going from a speedier Doom Slayer to a more ground-heavy, hulking figure that batters demons looks very appealing, never mind piloting an Atlan mech or having a dragon mount.What inspired id Software to opt for a heavier version of the Slayer? In a Q&A session attended by True Achievements, creative director Hugo Martin said that Frank Millers Batman comics played a big part. He even confirmed that the leaked codename for the title, DOOM Year Zero, was a homage to Batman: Year One.My all-time favorite comic, which, big surprise, I think its a favorite comic of many people, is Frank Millers The Dark Knight. He showed a depiction of Batman that was huge. He was amazing. He was powerful. He looked like a tank[] Everything about his arsenal is powerful. He just looked awesome, and it was like, Id love to make a slayer like that, like a heavier, powerful Slayer, said Martin.He also felt that id Software hit the mobility limit in DOOM Eternal. There was no more speed and acrobatics to pull out of Doom Eternal. I mean, Doom Eternal and its DLCs, were proud of that game. It stands on its own, as does Doom (2016), but this felt like a variation on the Doom Slayer power fantasy that was worth exploring and would feel good to the players.Hes not easy. Were constantly refining how heavy he feels. I mean, when he walks, you can hear it. Everything he does is big and powerful, and it feels awesome.DOOM: The Dark Ages launches on May 15th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC while launching on day one for Game Pass. Its also rumored to be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders for the title will receive two days of early access, while Premium Edition owners get the Divinity Skin Pack and campaign DLC.