Brazen, bold, brash, and whatever kind of synonym you can come up with to describe someone or something that acts with reckless abandon, are appropriate descriptions for the Prime Evils, who can’t seem to stop squabbling from among themselves. After all, how else could you describe a group of powerful beings who, at the cusp of victory, bickered and against each other to see who was the bigger, well, evil? While this is an exaggerated abbreviation of the events of The Great Conflict, it does explain the kind of creatures Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal are. But, as evil as they may seem to be, nothing compares to the level of greed that Blizzard Entertainment is flirting with.
The upcoming Diablo 4 expansion, Vessel of Hatred, recently became a topic of discussion on the internet, and it’s not because of its early reveal. Rather, social media, forums, and the darkest corners of the internet are up in arms after the developers all but confirmed how much it’s willing to charge for the first significant piece of post-launch content for Diablo 4.
As per Bellular News (via Try Hard Guides), Blizzard is contemplating several different price points for Diablo 4’s first confirmed expansion, ranging from a more acceptable $49.99 to an eyebrow-raising $99.99. This new pricing strategy could significantly impact players’ decisions and put Diablo 4 in an even worse situation, just as things were starting to get better.
According to the sources, the leaked survey details several tiers for the expansion, each offering different incentives and bonuses. The most controversial aspect of this unconfirmed pricing model is the inclusion of game-changing content as well as early access features in the higher-priced tiers. For example, the $99.99 option includes exclusive cosmetic items, a substantial amount of in-game Platinum currency per season, and early access to significant gameplay features like additional stash space and unique items.
The potential $100 price tag for the highest tier of Vessel of Hatred has divided opinion. While asking players to pay for premium prices for substantial content and exclusive benefits isn’t unique to Blizzard and Diablo 4, the pricing model is a potential game-changer, and we don’t mean that in a good way. The addition of early access to major features found in more expensive tiers, such as the stash space and unique items, is particularly contentious. It raises questions about a potential pay-to-win scenario, something that most are vehemently against.
The pricing debacle surrounding Vessel of Hatred is further complicated by the still-mixed reception of Diablo 4 post-launch. Even though its player count has improved on Steam, months after setting a new record for Blizzard and setting significant sales milestones along the way, it has faced criticism for its controversial microtransaction model as well as the perceived value of the content it provides. To make matters worse, Blizzard is facing accusations of using bots to doctor Diablo 4 Steam reviews. Now, the leaked survey’s suggestion that expansion prices could reach as high as $100 for a bundle that includes a year’s worth of content and seasonal gifts, adds another layer to the debate.
However, it’s important to note that companies use surveys to gauge player interest and preferences. They don’t always reflect final decisions or indicate what content is currently in development. Nevertheless, the reaction to the leaked survey suggests that if Blizzard decides to implement such a pricing strategy, it could face significant pushback.
As the release date of the expansion approaches, it will be interesting to see how Blizzard addresses these concerns and what pricing strategy they ultimately decide to adopt. Whether the expansion will justify its potential high cost in the eyes of players remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the decision will mark a pivotal moment when it happens.
