Doom Dark Ages early access release time, launch date and how to play ahead of schedule

Doom: The Dark Ages fans are counting down to the release of the game on , |S and PC (via ).

The Bethesda published first-person shooter officially has a May 15 release date on all platforms. However, Premium Edition pre-order customers will be able to play the game ahead of schedule as part of the early access period.

If you've pre-ordered the Doom: The Dark Ages Premium Edition, then the new game has a May 13 release date and a 1am BST UK launch time for fans living in the UK. As you can see from the chart below, that's 8pm ET on May 12 for US players.

Needless to say, pre-ordering the Premium Edition is going to cost you more money than the regular version of the game.

If you want to play the game ahead of schedule, then Doom: The Dark Ages Premium Edition will set you back a whopping £99.99.

In addition to early access, the Premium Edition contains DLC for the Doom: The Dark Ages campaign.

That's on top of a digital artbook and soundtrack, as well as the Divinity Skin Pack and the Void DOOM Slayer Skin.

If you don't fancy paying extra for the Premium Edition, then you can wait until May 15 to purchase the Standard Edition of the game.

It's even coming to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate as a day one release for Xbox users.

As for the game itself, Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to the 2016 Doom and its sequel Doom Eternal.

"In this third instalment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell."

Fans can expect a selection of new weapons and items, including a Mecha Dragon and Skull Crusher weapon, the latter of which fires bone fragments.

Needless to say, players will be able to finish off enemies with brutal moves after inflicting enough damage.