Diablo 4 will not share Diablo Immortal’s monetization systems, Blizzard has confirmed.
Instead, monetization in Diablo 4 will be strictly kept to “optional cosmetic items and full story-based expansions,” Diablo boss Rod Fergusson confirmed in a statement. tweet (opens in new tab). The sentiment was shared by Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, who quoted Fergusson’s statement on Twitter, writing, “100%” (thanks, eurogamer (opens in new tab)).
Diablo 4 is set to release sometime in 2023, and it looks like the development team has read the room when it comes to Diablo Immortal’s damning reception. The mobile and PC title has an extremely low average user rating in metacritical (opens in new tab)with most players citing intrusive microtransactions as reason enough to avoid the game.
Some criticized the game’s content for not being as fun or engaging. Others were bitter after discovering hidden progression limits that punish free-to-play players.
To be clear, D4 is a full-price game built for the PC/PS/Xbox audience. We are committed to providing an incredible variety of content post-launch over the next few years, anchored in optional cosmetics and full story-based expansions. More details coming soon. Necro blog tomorrow!June 12, 2022
Positive messages but…
So far, the Diablo 4 development team has been saying and showing the right things. Pre-alpha gameplay snippets and a strong showing on Xbox and Bethesda Showcase were positively received by the fanbase.
It was also helped by a grittier aesthetic and heightened levels of character customization, as well as the aforementioned detachment from Diablo Immortal’s business model.
That said, Blizzard’s reputation for squeezing money isn’t going to go away overnight. Diablo Immortal, Overwatch and World of Warcraft were criticized for questionable monetization schemes.
Fans will be eagerly waiting to see what state Diablo 4 will be released in when it comes to PS5, Xbox Series X | S and PC next year.
We would love for Diablo 4 to come out and be incredibly well received. The series popularized hack ‘n’ slash gameplay with lots of loot and should have a chance to reclaim that throne.
However, the game needs to show that it won’t be nickel and dime players like its mobile stable companion. And that’s not to mention the satisfying gameplay, plentiful loot, and satisfying progression you’ll need to be a sequel worthy of the Diablo name.
Diablo 2: Risen showed us that there is still life in the old dog. The ball is firmly in Blizzard’s court to deliver a Diablo 4 that fans old and new are proud to play regularly.