Diablo 4 monetisation: Shop, cosmetic items & battle pass explained
Diablo 4 monetisation is a hot-button issue coming up as we approach the game's release date. Diablo 4 has a lot of fans excited, but those fans are also warry. Monetisation in Diablo Immortal caused some fairly extreme controversy, leading fans to be sceptical of Blizzard's intentions going forward.
Here is everything we currently know about monetisation in Diablo 4.
- Click here to learn how to get the Temptation mount in Diablo 4.
Diablo 4 monetisation: Battle Pass
Click to enlargeDiablo fans are no strangers to seasonal systems, Diablo 3 has subsisted on its seasonally refreshed content for years now. Diablo 4 seems to be continuing this approach, while also giving us a much more traditional season pass. The Diablo 4 Battle Pass will have both a free track and a paid premium track, which players can level up through and unlock various items and boosts.
Clearly trying to get ahead of the potential controversy, Blizzard has been quick to clear up any doubt that this fully-priced game will feature any pay-to-win purchases like Diablo Immortal. The free tiers that are available to everyone will have gameplay boosts, such as increasing your experience gains. Then, the premium tiers which you must pay for will only include cosmetic items.
The Battle Pass will combine a progression system for all players with a purely cosmetic paid system. It isn't ideal, but at least this time they aren't asking for a down payment on a new car just to level up your Barbarian.
- Will Diablo 4 be on Xbox Game Pass? Check out our guide to learn more.
Diablo 4 monetisation: Shop
Click to enlargeAnother point of contention from Diablo's history is how it handles the in-game Shop. Fans exploded on social media and message boards back in 2012 when Diablo 3 launched with an auction house that allowed players to buy items with real money. Oh, how times have changed.
The shop in Diablo 4 is a much different beast, but not unfamiliar to most modern gamers. It is filled with cosmetic items only, armour transmogs that change the look of your character. Again, Blizzard is adamant that there is no gameplay benefit to putting down real money in this store, and has gone so far as to state that the best-looking armour comes from gameplay, rather than store purchases.
Items in the shop can be purchased with premium currency, which can be earned on the battle pass, or assumably, purchased with real currency. These things are not new to games, the controversy seemingly has Blizzard playing it safe, trying desperately not to drive players away from yet another Diablo game hampered by microtransactions. Hopefully, it succeeds in avoiding predatory monetisation practices and just gives folks the Diablo game that they want to play.
That is everything we know so far about Diablo 4 monetisation: a promising start, all things considered. For more on the game, check out our Diablo 4 PC controller support guide.