Activision Blizzard has officially announced that its anticipated upcoming action-RPG, Diablo 4, will receive an open beta and early access this March. The beta comes a few months before the game’s release in June, which will grant players access to a sizeable chunk of the game as well as allow progression up to level 25. However, Blizzard didn’t make it clear if progress will be carried over to the full game.
Blizzard confirmed the news during IGN Fan Fest, stating that Diablo 4 will receive an open beta for everyone that will run from 24-26 March. Players who pre-ordered the game can gain early access to the beta from 17-19 March. Some details were also revealed about what you can expect from the beta.
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According to Diablo 4 director Joe Shely, the beta will have no time limit and players will be able to progress up to level 25. Almost all of the game’s first act will be included in this beta. Players who pre-ordered either the ultimate or deluxe editions of the game will get early access to the beta a week before everyone else, as well as four days early access to the full game on 2 June – four days before its launch date on 6 June.
Shely also reassured players that they won’t be able to spend any real money to upgrade their character’s abilities, so it seems like microtransactions might just be locked to cosmetics only. However, they won’t be tied to player progression. Blizzard may be implementing this following the backlash of the mobile spin-off Diablo Immortal, which did allow players to buy various items that could boost their progression.
Diablo 4 is the fourth mainline entry in Blizzard’s long-running Diablo RPG series. The fourth game promises a return to the gothic tone established in the first two Diablo games and will feature Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto, as the primary villain.
Diablo 4 launches on 6 June 2023 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Check out the newly revealed opening cinematic below.
Source: IGN
