After hiring the Jennifer’s Body star to use her sultry allure to market Diablo 4 after launching, Blizzard Entertainment is working with an actual vampire to help breathe new life into the controversial dungeon crawler.
With the launch of Diablo 4 Season 2, Blizzard has kicked off a contest that plays right into the vampire-slaying theme, and who better to market that than Sarah Michelle Gellar?
The game’s latest contest, Diablo 4: Season of Blood, encourages players to showcase their vampire hunting skills. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star, an iconic figure in pop culture, has partnered with Blizzard for this special event, not long after the company rewarded players for donating blood. Participants are invited to submit videos that demonstrate and explain their vampire-hunting skills, shared on social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #DiabloHunters and tagging the Diablo account. The rewards for this challenge are enticing, including a letter signed by Buff herself, a digital code for $500 USD of Blizzard Battle.net Balance, and a box containing assorted vampire hunter props. Details of the contest can be found at diablovampirehunters.com.
This collaboration marks the latest in a series of celebrity endorsements for the game, with Sarah Michelle Gellar joining the ranks of Megan Fox and Halsey who have previously been part of Diablo 4’s marketing efforts. However, this kind of partnership is an even bigger win with fans due to Gellar’s time as Buffy and the vampire-centric season of the game.
Diablo 4’s Season of Blood has been a refreshing chapter for the game, especially after initial criticism over its endgame content and a less-than-satisfactory first season. The involvement of Sarah Michelle Gellar in an advertisement capacity and her active role in selecting contest winners has added a layer of credibility and excitement to the campaign. This is the type of promotion that brings a blend of humor and nostalgia that Diablo 4’s marketing needs to regain the trust of the fans that it lost.
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s participation is more than just a nod to her Buffy character; it’s a clever integration of a beloved cultural figure into the fabric of Diablo 4. The contest, running from October 30 to November 2, will see three winners chosen based on their creative and skillful submissions. The selection process is not solely in the hands of Blizzard; Gellar herself will provide input, adding an extra layer of anticipation for participants.
Diablo 4’s Season of Blood is a fitting playground for such a contest, given its emphasis on vampire hunting and related themes. The season also features promotions such as blood donations to unlock in-game rewards and even a chance to win a PC with a unique liquid cooling system infused with human blood. This has showcased Blizzard’s dedication to immersive and interactive marketing.
Despite skepticism about Diablo 4’s constant celebrity tie-ins, this latest campaign has been generally well-received. The nostalgic connection to Buffy the Vampire Slayer has struck a chord with the audience, making it one of the more memorable collaborations for Diablo 4 to date.
With no signs of slowing down, Blizzard’s celebrity marketing tactics continue to keep Diablo 4 in the spotlight, with the hope that the gameplay experience will rise to match the star power it’s been harnessing.
