You’ve come here for a reason. The Union Aerospace Corporation’s massive research facility on Mars is overwhelmed by fierce and powerful demons, and only one person stands between their world and ours.  As the lone DOOM Marine, you’ve been activated to do one thing – kill them all.

Relentless demons, impossibly destructive guns, and fast, fluid movement provide the foundation for intense, first-person combat – whether you’re obliterating demon hordes through the depths of Hell in the single-player campaign, or competing against your friends in numerous multiplayer modes. Expand your gameplay experience using DOOM SnapMap game editor to easily create, play, and share your content with the world.

The first DOOM Closed Alpha begins Friday, October 23 at 12:01 ET and runs through Sunday, October 25 at 11:59 ET. Participants will square off in 6v6 Team Deathmatch on the Heatwave map. Using a limited arsenal of 6 weapons and 2 pieces of equipment, players can choose a pre-set loadout or customize their own loadout before jumping into arena-style combat in this industrial-themed map.

“We’ve had a great time sharing our vision for DOOM with you this year,” Stratton says. “We can’t wait to reveal even more of our single-player campaign, our competitive multiplayer, and SnapMap creation tool and content hub as we get closer to our launch in the spring of 2016.”

First, these are not Betas, nor are they game demos. Instead, these are a series of closed tests with limited functionality – in the case of tomorrow's Closed Alpha, one map, one mode, and a partial selection of weapons and equipment – with the goal of banging on a bunch of back-end functionality in a real-world setting. Sure, the team at id Software will be taking a close look at feedback on the gameplay itself, but that’s just part of the goal here. Much of this initial Closed Alpha is dedicated to assessing how real people connect to servers, systems and the back-end infrastructure needed to operate the game. In other words, all the technical stuff that’s essential to helping id’s vision for DOOM come to life.

As for the Beta... there’s still a big Beta coming in 2016, and your Wolfenstein: The New Order pre-order will still ensure your invitation to this Beta. Speaking of which, if you haven’t yet done so, please register your code here. That way you can guarantee your spot in the Beta and have a shot at participating in a Closed Alpha. Go on. We’ll still be here when you’re done.

Be sure to keep an eye out for several “game changers” that appear in the arena, which include:

• The Demon Rune, which can turn the tide of a battle by transforming a player into a bad-ass Revenant fully loaded with dual rocket launchers and a jetpack.
• The Gauss Cannon, a high-powered weapon that can destroy a foe in a single blast.
• Power-ups like Quad Damage and Invisibility – you can guess what each of these does.

Keep in mind that these highly coveted items have limitations. The Revenant not only has a timer, but an opponent who kills the demon can steal the Rune (pay attention to the enemy demon health at the top of your HUD). The Gauss Cannon has a limited amount of ammo. Power-up capabilities last only a limited amount of time.

For a detailed Closed Alpha FAQ – including the specific weapons available in this particular test – please go to the official website.

The DOOM MP Closed Alpha is a series of development-driven tests designed to stress test the game’s dedicated server infrastructure in a real-world consumer environment. It is not the Beta (offered with Wolfenstein: The New Order pre-order), a demo, or representative of the final game.

While the Beta and the full game will be available in multiple languages, the Closed Alpha is an English-only test.

Closed Alpha Gameplay Features

One Map: Heatwave

The Alpha will feature 1 multiplayer map: Heatwave. This industrial-themed map will place players in an arena setting featuring plenty of armor, ammo, and health pickups. Narrow corridors, walkways and small chambers all link to a central, open area of the map, providing players with a variety of environments that suit varying playstyles, as well as the focus point for fighting over key power-ups.

One Mode: 6v6 Team Deathmatch

Welcome to the core of DOOM’s arena-style multiplayer combat. In this mode, two teams of 6 players will try to dominate each other by fighting over the Revenant and Gauss Rifle power-ups, which provide devastating firepower that can turn the tide or ensure victory.

One Demon: Revenant

Being the first player to the Demon Rune will transform you into the powerful Revenant. Use your jetpack and dual rocket launchers to hunt down the other team for a limited time to either secure your team’s lead or mount a comeback.

One Power Weapon: Gauss Cannon

Available as a counter to the Revenant, this high-powered weapon destroys opponents in one blast. Use the alternate fire to see your targets through walls, but be warned, there is a limited number of shots, so use it to take down the demon rather than enemy players. Once you’re out of ammo, you have to wait for it to appear on the map again.

6 Weapons, 2 Equipment Items

The Closed Alpha will feature a limited arsenal of weapons and items featured in the complete game. They can be used both in standard and customizable loadouts.

Weapons

• Vortex Rifle
• Super Shotgun
• Repeater
• Rocket Launcher
• Static Cannon
• Plasma Rifle

Equipment Items

• Personal Teleporter
• Frag Grenade

Key Features:

• A Relentless Campaign: There is no taking cover or stopping to regenerate health as you beat back Hell’s raging demon hordes.  Combine your arsenal of futuristic and iconic guns, upgrades, movement and an advanced melee system to knock-down, slash, stomp, crush, and blow apart demons in creative and violent ways.
• Return of id Multiplayer: Dominate your opponents in DOOM’s signature, fast-paced arena-style combat. In both classic and all-new game modes, annihilate your enemies utilizing your personal blend of skill, powerful weapons, vertical movement, and unique power-ups that allow you to play as a demon.
• Endless Possibilities: DOOM SnapMap – a powerful, but easy-to-use game and level editor – allows for limitless gameplay experiences on every platform.  Without any previous experience or special expertise, any player can quickly and easily snap together and visually customize maps, add pre-defined or completely custom gameplay, and even edit game logic to create new modes.  Instantly play your creation, share it with a friend, or make it available to players around the world – all in-game with the push of a button.