Brittany Alva 
It’s been three years since a new mainline Doom game has been released, but a new trademark filed by ZeniMax Media Inc suggests that might change.
Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods Part 2 came out in 2021, concluding the Doom Slayer’s saga. Since then, the only games released in the franchise have been Doomed Love and Mighty Doom, a dating sim and a top-down Roguelite shooter respectively. This has left fans waiting for a new entry in the iconic boomer shooter series.
A new trademark was registered for IDKFA, a well-known Doom cheat code, on May 12 by ZeniMax, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks. This hints that a new Doom game is in the works.
IDKFA wordmark suggests a new Doom game may be coming, but what does it mean?
A trademark from ZeniMax suggests that a new Doom game is in the works. Unfortunately, trademarks don’t always say much about the thing being trademarked.
The new wordmark filed by ZeniMax registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office is an Easter egg title. IDKFA is a cheat code in Doom that gives players access to keys and weapons, but it doesn’t have an official meaning. Fans have speculated on what it could mean, with consensus mostly revolving around ID keys and ammunition.
The trademark request was filed on January 9, 2024. This strongly suggests that the company is working on something new in the Doom franchise. Whether it’s a new mainline entry or something smaller in scope is unclear.
When is the next Doom game coming out?
The trademark request doesn’t specify when a new Doom game will come out, but fans shouldn’t expect it any time soon.
Most AAA games take five to seven years to make. Trademarks typically get submitted before marketing for a game starts, which could be a year or two before a game ever releases. Considering Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods Part 2 was released three years ago, speculation points to a 2026 release. However, until ZeniMax Media officially announces the game, it’s impossible to know for sure.
Fans have been speculating about what a new Doom game could look like for some time. Many players were fans of the Eternal saga and hoped to see a game that plays similarly to the most recent installments. Others were hopeful for something a little darker, looking back at Doom 3 for inspiration. Regardless, fans can rest assured that the classic series is coming back at some point. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of great old-school shooters for players to choose from.
