Summary

  • Diablo 4 has introduced a new mount bundle that can only be purchased with 7,800 Platinum, which costs a total of $65, adding to existing microtransaction controversies.
  • The Battle Pass format and expensive cosmetics led to a drop in player count during Diablo 4's inaugural season, but new announcements and improvements have generated excitement for the game's future.
  • While microtransactions in Diablo 4 are limited to cosmetics, the high prices have caused some players to feel priced out, especially considering the base game's $70 price tag and additional battle pass costs.

Diablo 4 has introduced a new mount bundle in Patch 1.2.2, however, it exclusively comes saddled with a purchase of 7,800 Platinum for a total price tag of $65. Though the latest Blizzard title has been one of the best-selling video games in 2023, players already had issues with Diablo 4's microtransaction costs even before launch. The pricey cosmetics and the in-game shop were a significant source of controversy, and Blizzard has since expanded its catalog immensely over the course of Diablo 4's Season of the Malignant.

Compared to other live service games, many fans also took issue with Diablo 4's Battle Pass format, and it's likely that all these factors contributed to the sharp drop-off in player count during its inaugural season. However, with the announcement of Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred at BlizzCon 2023, as well as the success that the Season of Blood had in addressing some of the biggest issues that have plagued the game since beta, there is some newfound excitement for the future of Diablo 4.

However, when players logged into their Battle.net account in Patch 1.2.2, a new mount bundle awaited them – and its cost rivaled that of a triple-A title. As reported by Wowhead on Twitter, the new Father's Judgment Collection offers Diablo 4 players a stylish steed adorned in plate armor reminiscent of the Cathedral of Light. In order to obtain the new mount, they cannot purchase it without also buying 7,800 Platinum on top, which results in a price tag of $75. Platinum is Diablo 4's premium currency, and the amount obtained from the bundle would be enough to purchase around four premium cosmetics on average.

Thankfully, microtransactions are restricted to being cosmetics only in Diablo 4, so players interested in gameplay won't be hindered by an unwillingness to spend money. That being said, it is understandable why some voices from the community feel that they are being priced out of buying cosmetics for a title that already had a $70 price tag, on top of having a $10 to $25 Battle Pass for every Season. For Blizzard, it would seem that the current format is earning the company a substantial profit, as the developers have established a steady revenue stream to justify making multiple Diablo 4 expansion packs – which ended up being the primary reason why the second Diablo 3 expansion was canceled and re-purposed into Rise of the Necromancer.

While it remains to be seen what Vessel of Hatred will bring to Diablo 4, the team is better positioned to deliver content for many years to come. For Diablo 4 players who want to bedazzle or who plan to purchase a Platinum pack anyway, the Father's Judgment Collection is available now through the in-game shop, though hopefully, a separate bundle with just the mount will crop up in the near future.

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Diablo 4 Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Diablo 4
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Action RPG
Hack and Slash
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
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Released
June 5, 2023
ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Publisher(s)
Blizzard
Engine
Proprietary Engine
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
All platforms
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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Diablo® IV is the ultimate action-RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot.

Embark on the epic campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through a gripping story in a beautifully dark world, or explore an expansive end game: battle iconic bosses for powerful loot, fight back the encroaching onslaught of Hell in Helltides, master the Forge to create your ultimate weapons and progress powerful characters, with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.

Welcome to Hell

Discover the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre. As the battle between the High Heavens and Burning Hells rages on, hatred devours Sanctuary as evil spreads and a new wave of cultists and worshippers arise to embrace Lilith’s coming. Only a brave few dare to face this threat and bring light to the all-consuming darkness.

Expansive Open World

Forge your own path through the corrupted lands of Sanctuary, an ever-growing, fully explorable world teeming with challenges, quests, enemies, and loot. Join your fellow adventurers, rescue and retake besieged towns, delve into nightmarish dungeons and uncover lost secrets as you fight back evil. The many zones of Sanctuary are yours to explore, and with rotating areas of extreme peril like World Bosses and Helltide, danger lurks at every turn.

Immersive Character Development

Create and customize your character to face the encroaching darkness. Choose from one of five classes and build your hero with skills, abilities and cosmetics, creating a champion that is uniquely your own. Grow stronger as you progress through powerful Skill Trees and develop even more unique end game specializations with Paragon Boards.

Legendary Gear, Epic Battles

Discover and experiment with a vast arsenal of powerful weapons, armor and more to fight back against the demons threatening Sanctuary. Explore unique combinations, create your own upgrades and collect a plethora of powerful tools to battle in immersive, action-packed combat against the deadliest of enemies.

Seasons & Events

The tales of Sanctuary continue to unfold. Create Seasonal Characters and join in fresh adventures - master new mechanics and take on the latest threats in each new Season. Complete harrowing feats of the Season Journey and earn new Battle Pass rewards. Plus, sharpen your swords and get in the spirit of the seasons when Limited-Time Events sweep through Sanctuary.

End Game Undertakings

There’s even more Diablo® IV to explore as you reach higher levels and more fearsome World Tiers. Face the greatest challenge yet as you take on the most powerful demons in The Pit, steel yourself against Uber Bosses to reap uber unique rewards, fight back overflowing armies of Hell as Helltides emerge across Sanctuary, battle larger-than-life World Bosses, and master the Forge to create the mightiest weapons fit for a hero.

Franchise
Diablo
Metascore
88
Genre(s)
Action RPG, Hack and Slash