Bethesda has confirmed development of a "new version" of Doom 4, apparently planned for the next-generation of consoles - but the game appears to be a long way off.

Sources speaking with Kotaku claim the release date is up in the air after a reboot in late 2011. Development is "not going well" according to one source, although Bethesda, publisher of id Software, claims the game is still in the works.

"An earlier version of Doom 4 did not exhibit the quality and excitement that id and Bethesda intend to deliver and that Doom fans worldwide expect," Bethesda's marketing boss Pete Hines said in a new statement.

"As a result, id refocused its efforts on a new version of Doom 4 that promises to meet the very high expectations everyone has for this game and this franchise. When we're ready to talk about the Doom 4 id is making, we will let folks know."

Apparently, after Rage didn't meet sales expectations, ZeniMax, parent company of Bethesda and id Software, cancelled Rage 2 and "downsized" plans for Rage DLC.

Now, all id staff are working on Doom 4.

In October 2011, a month before this development reboot, a report emerged that claimed development on Doom 4 had been "indefinitely" postponed.

At the time Pete Hines called the rumour "complete bollocks". "Re: Doom 4 rumour, games are done when they are done and no title under development at id has been postponed - indefinitely or otherwise," he said.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-03-bethesda-confirms-work-on-a-new-version-of-doom-4-plans-for-rage-2-ditched

I can't speak to Rage because I haven't yet played the first game, but I'm glad Doom 4 is on track -- even if it's a slow, plodding track.

Doom 3 was the best in the series, at least in my opinion, so I'm anxious for more.

OMG they making doom 4? 8gbs of ram will not be enough then lol.

from the sound of the Kotaku article I read the reboot isn't doing that great either

If you read the kotaku article.. Id sofware is nearly.. doomed...

They will be if the don't get their arses in gear. 3D Realms went through the same thing with Duke Nukem Forever. The constant rebuilding of the game and delays killed them.

Thanks for the heads up. That was a very interesting article, the Kotaku article. The OP should have used that one instead.

Yes, id is finished. Finished as in irrelevant (like they have been for a decade already, at least). Who knows, maybe after a failed Doom 4 and a restructure of the team and management it might retain the "id" name, but it will be such a metamorphosis that nothing will resemble the historical id.

Now Zenimax seem quite stupid too. They forced the Rage team and Doom 4 team to merge because of management had trouble focusing on multiple projects, and that might seem a logical solution , but then they put immense pressure on the newly merged team by proclaiming that Doom 4 should be as successful as Skyrim LOL!! Now that's a way to ruin team morale if anything. Also, as the saying goes "don't put all your eggs in one basket".

Some concept arts and renders were released for Doom 4

http://www.unseen64.net/2012/05/19/doom-4-beta-pc-xbox-360-ps3/

Damn! Doom seems doomed... After Rage I feared that id software is in trouble and now it's become true. Especially sad for Carmack, a programming prodigy and a real cool guy, I think.

It's over for that studio