Controversial Diablo Immortal Had Biggest Launch in Franchise History

Controversial Diablo Immortal Had Biggest Launch in Franchise History

Blizzard has announced that its newest and perhaps most controversial entry in the iconic Diablo franchise, Diablo Immortal, has had the biggest launch in franchise history. The free-to-play mobile and PC game launched earlier this month, but fans have widely panned the release for its heavy reliance on microtransactions, even review bombing Diablo Immortal as a form of protest.
Diablo Immortal was first introduced at BlizzCon 2018, and fan opinions have been mixed from the beginning. Many were apprehensive not only about the way in which Diablo Immortal was introduced on stage, but also with the developer’s pivot to the free-to-play model in general. F2P games are often criticized for the way in which they implement in-app purchases, and lots of Diablo fans feared that the release could be pay-to-win, meaning users would be encouraged to spend money in order to progress satisfactorily. Concerns over microtransactions in the game have worsened since its release, with one report stating it could cost $110,000 to upgrade one Diablo Immortal character.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
Despite the negative press surrounding the game, it seems Diablo Immortal has already proven to be a commercial success, with Diablo Immortal taking to Twitter to announce that the game has surpassed 10 million downloads in just one week. According to the company, this makes it the single biggest launch in franchise history. The free-to-play model is likely the greatest contributing factor to the game’s success, as fans who were apprehensive about the title can try it out without an initial investment.

Shoutout to the heroes of Sanctuary.
In just one week, Diablo Immortal is the biggest launch in franchise history.
Thanks for slaying with us. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/r561EY5u8b
— Diablo Immortal (@DiabloImmortal) June 10, 2022

While many Diablo Immortal players have lamented the game’s microtransactions, expressing discontent with the free-to-play model and wishing they could have paid full price for the game instead of having to spend money via the in-game shop, not everyone is frustrated. Some players state that the shop and optional purchases aren’t too obtrusive to the overall Diablo Immortal gameplay experience, and maintain that one doesn’t need to spend money in order to enjoy the game. Despite the community’s mixed feelings, Diablo Immortal has proven to be quite a success for Blizzard in the week since launch.

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Blizzard will be continuing to update Diablo Immortal as a live-service game across both PC and mobile devices, and it’s very possible the developer will take into account the many player grievances surrounding microtransactions. While Blizzard has yet to announce the game’s first update, with such controversy over the new release so far, it’s hoped by many that Diablo Immortal players’ complaints won’t go unheard.
Source: Diablo Immortal/Twitter
Editor’s Note: A lawsuit has been filed against Activision Blizzard by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which alleges the company has engaged in abuse, discrimination, and retaliation against its female employees. Activision Blizzard has denied the allegations. The full details of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit (content warning: rape, suicide, abuse, harassment) are being updated as new information becomes available.

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#Controversial #Diablo #Immortal #Biggest #Launch #Franchise #History

Controversial Diablo Immortal Had Biggest Launch in Franchise History

Blizzard has announced that its newest and perhaps most controversial entry in the iconic Diablo franchise, Diablo Immortal, has had the biggest launch in franchise history. The free-to-play mobile and PC game launched earlier this month, but fans have widely panned the release for its heavy reliance on microtransactions, even review bombing Diablo Immortal as a form of protest.
Diablo Immortal was first introduced at BlizzCon 2018, and fan opinions have been mixed from the beginning. Many were apprehensive not only about the way in which Diablo Immortal was introduced on stage, but also with the developer’s pivot to the free-to-play model in general. F2P games are often criticized for the way in which they implement in-app purchases, and lots of Diablo fans feared that the release could be pay-to-win, meaning users would be encouraged to spend money in order to progress satisfactorily. Concerns over microtransactions in the game have worsened since its release, with one report stating it could cost $110,000 to upgrade one Diablo Immortal character.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
Despite the negative press surrounding the game, it seems Diablo Immortal has already proven to be a commercial success, with Diablo Immortal taking to Twitter to announce that the game has surpassed 10 million downloads in just one week. According to the company, this makes it the single biggest launch in franchise history. The free-to-play model is likely the greatest contributing factor to the game’s success, as fans who were apprehensive about the title can try it out without an initial investment.

Shoutout to the heroes of Sanctuary.
In just one week, Diablo Immortal is the biggest launch in franchise history.
Thanks for slaying with us. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/r561EY5u8b
— Diablo Immortal (@DiabloImmortal) June 10, 2022

While many Diablo Immortal players have lamented the game’s microtransactions, expressing discontent with the free-to-play model and wishing they could have paid full price for the game instead of having to spend money via the in-game shop, not everyone is frustrated. Some players state that the shop and optional purchases aren’t too obtrusive to the overall Diablo Immortal gameplay experience, and maintain that one doesn’t need to spend money in order to enjoy the game. Despite the community’s mixed feelings, Diablo Immortal has proven to be quite a success for Blizzard in the week since launch.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1535570269372-ccr2’); });

Blizzard will be continuing to update Diablo Immortal as a live-service game across both PC and mobile devices, and it’s very possible the developer will take into account the many player grievances surrounding microtransactions. While Blizzard has yet to announce the game’s first update, with such controversy over the new release so far, it’s hoped by many that Diablo Immortal players’ complaints won’t go unheard.
Source: Diablo Immortal/Twitter
Editor’s Note: A lawsuit has been filed against Activision Blizzard by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which alleges the company has engaged in abuse, discrimination, and retaliation against its female employees. Activision Blizzard has denied the allegations. The full details of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit (content warning: rape, suicide, abuse, harassment) are being updated as new information becomes available.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1535570269372-ccr3’); });

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1550597677810-bta’); });

#Controversial #Diablo #Immortal #Biggest #Launch #Franchise #History