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.