The Star Wars beer meme based on a real-life advertising campaign has made its way into Helldivers 2, Diablo 4, Yakuza, and more.
15.02.2024 - 14:15 / ign.com
Hot on the heels of a backlash against Diablo 4 portal reskins that cost the same as Palworld comes a new microtransaction horror: a horse bundle that costs more than Diablo 4 itself.
This week, Blizzard released the new Vitreous Scourge mount, which can only be bought as part of a $64.99 bundle that throws in 7,000 Platinum. For context, Diablo 4 itself currently costs $41.99, and there is no way to buy the Vitreous Scourge mount outside this bundle.
Here’s what you get from the Vitreous Scourge pack, per Blizzard:
Diablo 4 players are debating the rights and wrongs of this bundle, working out its value given it includes 7,000 Platinum (7,200 Platinum costs $64.97 when bought on its own via the denominations Blizzard provides). If you’re going to buy $65-worth of Platinum anyway, some argue, then the Vitreous Scourge mount is a free add-on. Or, considered another way, the $65 bundle offers $83 of value, if we consider previous Diablo 4 mounts have cost up to $18 each. But the point remains: it is impossible to buy the mount directly, which means this bundle is yet another example of the video game industry, and Blizzard, price anchoring its microtransactions.
It’s worth noting Diablo 4 is a full-price action role-playing game and not free-to-play, and while this horse is purely cosmetic and does not affect gameplay, it joins a long list of controversial microtransactions that have hit the game since its record-breaking launch in June.
Of course, Diablo 4 developer Blizzard is now owned by Microsoft following the company’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year. It was a move that some had thought would usher in a new era for Blizzard, but it got off to a troubling start after Microsoft announced nearly 2,000 staff would be let go from its gaming division, a devastating round of layoffs that have hit Blizzard hard.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
The Star Wars beer meme based on a real-life advertising campaign has made its way into Helldivers 2, Diablo 4, Yakuza, and more.
Blizzard has released a new Diablo IV update, version 1.3.3, on all platforms. This patch introduces major new content and features, such as the long-anticipated Gauntlet endgame dungeon that was detailed in the latest Campfire Chat live stream.
Diablo 4’s Season 3 midseason update introduces the Gauntlet, a new timed Dungeon with challenging enemies and a scoring system that corresponds with the new leaderboard feature. For those looking to try their hand at eternal glory, we’ve put together a Gauntlet Tier List that ranks the best speedrunning, monster-cleaving builds in Patch 1.3.3.To see the complete Gauntlet rankings for Season 3, take a look at our Best Gauntlet Builds Tier List. The Gauntlet is Diablo 4’s first highly competitive feature, consisting of predetermined layouts, enemies, shrines, and chests that players must navigate to achieve the highest score possible before the timer runs out.
Moon Studios – the developer behind beloved Metroidvania games Ori and the Blind Forest and Will of the Wisps – is gearing up to launch its next game, action-RPG No Rest for the Wicked, into early access. Ahead of that, its director has clarified that there'll be no microtransactions included in the upcoming title at all, and definitely no expensive skins to buy for horses.
The Gauntlet will soon be available to players who seek to test their skill and wits, but there's more at stake than just bragging rights. There is loot aplenty for taking on the trials of The Gauntlet, with extra bonuses as well. Leaderboards and The Gauntlet in Diablo 4 Whenever The Gauntlet resets for the week, you will earn one or more rewards.
Moon Studios - the team behind brilliant Metroidvanias Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps - has announced an early access release date for its next (very different) game. The combat looks fierce, but I'm mostly just here to decorate houses and rebuild the settlement.
The Gauntlet is a new, permanent end game feature for Seasonal players in which they test their skills and strategy against dungeons with fixed layouts and race against the timer while earning points. Launching with Patch 1.3.3 on March 5, this feature will be available for players upon reaching World Tier 4 — but how do you get in? Season 3 Midseason Campfire Chat Summary Patch 1.3.3 Releases March 5 In order to enter the Gauntlet, once you gain access to World Tier 4 you must travel to the city of Gea Kul.
Diablo 4 has revealed the patch notes for update 1.3.3, which will arrive on March 5 for all platforms. Announced at the most recent Campfire Chat, this will be the fifth Diablo 4 update released this year. The patch will bring general improvements, several fixes, and anticipated features by the Diablo 4 community.
Diablo 4's developers surprisingly won't nerf its most overpowered Barbarian build, at least not during the ongoing Season 3, which is a pleasant surprise to some.
During yesterday's Campfire Chat, Blizzard announced the release date of the next major Diablo IV patch. On March 5, players will be able to access the previously delayed Gauntlet endgame dungeon.
Did you know that the Diablo 4 Premium Battle Pass, Accelerated Battle Pass, and Battle Pass Tier Skips can be purchased using Microsoft Rewards points? While this option has been available for some time, Blizzard has restated this offer in a recent tweet. Top 5 Vampiric Powers Transmog Collection Site These offers include 2 Battle Pass Tier Skips for 1,700 Microsoft Rewards points: A Premium Battle Pass token for 9,000 points: And an Accelerated Battle Pass token for 22,500 points: While Diablo 4 Season of the Construct is well underway, players can save up their hard-earned Microsoft Rewards points to use on the upcoming Season 4 Battle Pass. While a rework of Itemization will be the focal point of Season 4, we expect to learn even more about Diablo 4's next Season during this week's Campfire Chat on Thursday, February 29th at 11 a.m.
It’s fair to say that not even in their wildest dreams, Sony or developer Arrowhead Game Studios could have anticipated that Helldivers 2 would have enjoyed the level of success that it has. In spite of server issues and persistent connectivity problems that have only just now started easing up, the co-op shooter has attracted a sizeable playerbase.