We urge you to resist the temptation to pre-order Diablo 4, even though Blizzard has announced two “open beta” periods in March. While anyone can participate in the second beta period, only those who pre-order the game will be privileged to play in the first period. We encourage you not to fall for this marketing tactic and let Blizzard dictate what it means to be a true fan.
Don’t trust Blizzard.
Blizzard’s recent treatment of its employees has left a sour taste in the mouths of many gamers, and it’s understandable why they may be losing faith in the publisher. However, even if you’re not concerned about working conditions, it’s important to remember that a company committed to making good games is crucial to the gaming industry. Unfortunately, Blizzard’s recent track record is not promising.
Blizzard’s release of Warcraft III: Reforged, Diablo Immortal, and Overwatch 2 have left much to be desired, with each release appearing to take advantage of loyal players. Furthermore, Blizzard’s so-called “public betas” have been primarily used to hype up games and test in-game monetization practices. It’s doubtful that Diablo 4’s beta will be any different, so we advise you to hold off on pre-ordering.
In the past, “public betas” have served as opportunities for companies to gauge how much fans are willing to tolerate when it comes to in-game monetization practices. The beta/demo includes some egregious mechanic or store pricing, the community protests, the publisher apologizes, and dials back the system just enough to show they’re “listening.” The community and media praise the company, and everyone engages with the slightly less offensive version of the system. Unfortunately, the “less bad” version was the plan all along, and companies like Blizzard will even defend it.
To wrap up, we recommend waiting until the second “beta” period to try Diablo 4, instead of pre-ordering it. That way you’ll avoid falling prey to Blizzard’s marketing tactics and better understand the game’s quality.
