It's lazy programming, especially in a program like this that is largely linear. And it just leads to people thinking they need more powerful graphics cards than they really do. We'll be seeing people quoting this game using 8GB+ of VRAM at 1080p as an excuse for needing 16GB of VRAM during the next generation of graphics cards.
I would give it 2/10 if not serious, but if you were indeed serious, then I would say on the contrary!
When it comes to game engines, I consider anything to be “lazy programming” which does not use all the VRAM and prefers to use system ram and/or storage instead. It is a no-brainer really, and props to the team for not going for a lazy approach and actually filling up and using all the available VRAM.
Moreover, it is not that easy nowadays either, because the "border" between VRAM and system RAM is not that distinguishable anymore from the POV of game engines, so today it requires actual design and effort to use all the VRAM efficiently.
In addition, I disagree about what will people think, because it also works perfectly fine with older/lower spec cards offering less VRAM.
At the end (in my opinion) we can argue about if Doom Eternal is a good or a bad video game, because it is about personal preference, what one might consider exciting or boring etc... but I think it's universally safe to say that the engine itself is a very good one, one of the very best in the world.
