The Diablo 4 closed beta, which has been going successfully for the previous two weeks with an emphasis on endgame content, has an end date, according to Blizzard.
Though gamers have had the option to participate in Diablo 4’s limited beta, this window is soon to end. Fans of the series have maintained a wary – but interested – watch on the game’s development since it was announced in 2019 at BlizzCon with a gorgeous cinematic video. Blizzard Entertainment took multiple deep dives into how Diablo 4’s classes, itemization, graphic style, personalization, and open world fit into a new vision for the game that, unlike its predecessor, did not shy away from its grim origins.
Following many years of delays, Diablo 4 seems to be set to release next year on an unspecified date. With perhaps just a year till launch, it made sense for Blizzard’s developers to accelerate beta testing for the game. To that purpose, they invited only devoted endgame Diablo 2: Resurrected, Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls, and Diablo Immortal players. The Diablo 4 closed beta, in addition to enabling players to try out classes and gameplay, focused on endgame content such as Helltides and Nightmare Dungeons.
The closed beta for Diablo 4 was announced in the game patch notes on November 18. Players who haven’t been invited yet may be able to get early access, but those who miss out will have to wait until next year since Diablo 4 devs have said that public testing will begin in early 2023.
So far, the player reaction has been mixed, with one of the most popular complaints being irregular scaling on endgame dungeons, as well as Diablo 4 difficulty ramping up too quickly. Fortunately, these issues are exactly why the devs created an endgame beta, since getting the numbers correct gets simpler with more input to rely on. Problems like Necromancer minions being completely unviable at higher levels are much less concerning than combat being fundamentally flawed or uninspired.
Though evidence of the Diablo 4 closed beta has been rare owing to the NDA agreement preventing the release of pictures and videos, it is safe to presume that these restrictions will be relaxed in the public beta next year. Furthermore, it is unlikely that the emphasis of testing will stay on Diablo 4’s endgame, so players can expect to see and experience more of the game’s open world, levelling, and even narrative as a Barbarian, Druid, Sorceress, Rogue, or Necromancer in the coming months.
