Blizzard has told Diablo 4 players to stop using game-modifying software or risk their account suffering a permanent ban.
In a message posted to the Blizzard forums, Diablo community chief Adam Fletcher made clear the developer’s position on unauthorised modifications, many of which it said are used to cheat. Fletcher even called out one piece of software, called TurboHUD4, which has proved a popular option among the community, especially hardcore players pushing against the outer edges of Diablo 4’s endgame.
Why not introduce an offline mod mode then where there isn’t achievements and stuff in exchange for letting people play around.
You can’t monetize that
I was watching the drama around the nerf patch with a little amusement. It’s like people don’t think that they will slow the game down to start creating space for monetized ways to speed it back up. They knew they couldn’t really just release it with the same framework as Diablo Immortal, they need to ease the player base into monetized progression.
Blizzard is a great example of the concept that, when someone shows you who they really are, believe them.
They definitely made two balancings: one for reviewers and early adopters who raved in their assessment of the game and one for squeezing the pennies.
Yeah, I was holding out for that scant bit of hope they wouldn’t Kotick this game up like Diablo immoral but deep down I knew they were going to do the same slimy shit so I played patient gamer.
Still it’s disheartening to see how many gamers still bought it right or off the gate and how this will continue to be the sad normal for gaming.
I didn’t really closely follow Diablo 4, but I was under the impression that all the monetization currently is only vanity outfits, without gameplay influencing changes?
Or did they already put in P2W elements?
EDIT:
alrighty, did some research, seems like the monetization is split two-ways:
The classic scummy rotating in-game shop with its own premium currency with overpriced vanity items that do not influence gameplay (has no reason to be in a full price title).
The battle pass with its supposedly 80 hour grind (in which you can pay more money to rank up faster). The battle pass already includes gameplay influencing effects (more xp, longer potions,…) but those appearently also apply to the free version. Still scummy though, they’re already loosening the promise of no P2W. Give them enough time, they’ll get there.
I remember fooling around in text file for the game tiberian sun. Just boosting the power of certain units. Very fun, but impossible with today’s always online games. Very sad.