The reviews for Diablo 4 are in, and while the game is poised to be a critical triumph, players have expressed their concerns over the microtransactions in its in-game shop, deeming them overpriced for a premium title. With the embargo lifted, the Diablo community now has a clearer understanding of what awaits them in their latest adventure in Sanctuary beyond the Fractured Peaks. While the open beta and server slam have generated excitement among players for the gameplay experience, the game’s monetization strategy has become a major point of contention.
Following the release of Diablo Immortal in June 2022, which received criticism for its aggressive microtransactions, fans were worried that Blizzard Entertainment would adopt a similar approach with Diablo 4, set to launch a year later. With a price tag of $70 for the base edition of the game and a $10 Battle Pass system (or $25 for the accelerated option that includes an emote), players had hoped that the cosmetic items would be reasonably priced.
However, the reality has proven to be different. Premium cosmetics in Diablo 4 come with a hefty price of $28 per set, surpassing even the costs in Blizzard’s free-to-play title, Overwatch 2. Unlike in Path of Exile, a free-to-play rival to Diablo, the armor sets in Diablo 4 are tailored to specific classes, making their equally high price tags seem even more unjustifiable. Images of these costly cosmetic items from the in-game shop were shared by a user on the official Diablo subreddit, sparking a wave of complaints from players regarding the game’s monetization model.
It is worth noting that the items available in the Diablo 4 premium store are purely cosmetic and do not impact gameplay. Spending 2800 Platinum on an eye-catching Necromancer set will not enhance the speed at which one’s minions attack. Blizzard has stated that players will have the opportunity to earn premium currency through the paid Battle Pass system, but not enough to purchase the subsequent Battle Pass. As a result, fans should manage their expectations regarding the possibility of accumulating enough Platinum to acquire cosmetics.
Ultimately, early consensus suggests that Blizzard has crafted a worthy successor to the beloved Diablo 2. From gameplay and character progression to story and atmosphere, Diablo 4 seems to capture the essence of what makes a Diablo sequel successful and is likely to enjoy commercial success when it unleashes the gates of Hell on June 6. However, Diablo 4 is undeniably an expensive game, and the microtransaction prices, typically associated with free-to-play titles, appear out of place in a premium release. The future will reveal whether Diablo 4’s monetization strategy will be an isolated case or the start of a new trend in the industry.
