Diablo 4 is a title with a lot to live up to, with the franchise's last mainline release coming over a decade ago. With a high level of gameplay quality already being expected of the game, other recent elements of the IP may only make it more difficult for Blizzard to win over anyone still on the fence.
In terms of repairing the reputation of the wider franchise, Diablo 4 has a lot of improvements to make over the recent Diablo Immortal. While Diablo Immortal was always going to offer a smaller-scale mobile experience, the microtransactions within the title were a serious sticking point for some. With Diablo 4 also possessing microtransactions, many may be curious if the system is comparable at all to the controversies of Immortal.
Diablo Immortal's Microtransaction System
Diablo Immortal is a title that was shrouded in controversy ever since its announcement. The 2022 title drew concerns with its nature as a mobile game going against the expectations of some fans who were eager for a larger-scale mainline release like Diablo 4. As a free-to-play title, questions were also raised of how the game would support and monetize itself, with these concerns being warranted upon its release.
Upon launch, many considered the gameplay experience of Immortal to be entirely dependent upon microtransactions. Some of the title's most valuable items, such as Legendary Gems, were essentially tied to in-game purchases. With these items playing a huge role in the game's progression, non-paying players would have to slug through a fairly unfeasible grind to max out their characters. Some players calculated that it could cost up to $500,000 of real-world money to max out a Diablo Immortal character, predictably sparking outrage within the community.
The release sparked a wider conversation about microtransactions in modern gaming, attracting attention from all corners of the industry. With it being reported that a small portion of high-paying players made Diablo Immortal a relative success, others were left to feel alienated and shunned by the game. This has left a lingering legacy for the Diablo IP which Diablo 4 will be wanting to rectify.
Diablo 4's Microtransaction System
As a premium $70 mainline release, Diablo 4 will not be nearly as aggressive as Immortal in its microtransactions. With progression being possible via organic gameplay, a lot of the microtransactions for Diablo 4 offer purely cosmetic benefits.
For example, Diablo 4 possesses a battle pass sytem with a paid-for premium tier and a more expensive accelerated version. Many of these rewards are cosmetic, with some also coming in the form of resources that can be used for things like XP boosts. As a live-service game with a focus on replayability, these in-game seasons seem like a perfect way to keep the player base engaged.
Despite this, questions have already been raised regarding Diablo 4's microtransactions. Namely, players have noted how single cosmetic armor sets in Diablo 4 can cost up to $28. Considering that armor sets can only be used for one specific class, many are noting this as a worrying and extortionate element of the title. While it is clear that this is still purely cosmetic, the high price tag could set a worrying precedent for how the title handles in-game purchases moving forward.
It remains that the microtransactions of Diablo 4 are much more acceptable than those within Diablo Immortal, as they are not built around giving in-game advantages. However, considering the negative connotations between the franchise and microtransactions in recent years, there are still some elements of Diablo 4's approach that are somewhat concerning.
Diablo 4 releases June 6 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.