Diablo 4 is scheduled to release across multiple platforms on June 6 with the promise of up to four days of early access to those who purchase the Deluxe or Ultimate editions, and that's not sitting right with some fans of the series.
In a Reddit post from Friday that has been getting a lot of attention, user minichops3 shared a banner ad promoting the early access with the caption " 'game releases 4 days early, buy standard edition to play late' - This shouldn't be a thing." The post has generated more than 23,500 upvotes in its first 24 hours, as well as lighting the fuse on a long string of players frustrated not just with Blizzard's decision to make standard-edition players wait for access, but lamenting the publisher's earlier flawed launches.
In terms of US dollars, the Standard Edition of the game retails for $69.99. The Deluxe Edition, which comes with a seasonal Battle Pass unlock as well as a Temptation Mount and Hellborn Carapace Mount Armor, is an extra $20, while the Ultimate Edition adds the Deluxe Edition's content plus an accelerated Battle Pass access and Wings of the Creator emote for another $30 on top of the Standard Edition's price point.
For some, not having early access to a game seems to be less of a big deal, no matter how much they may be excited for it. "The first few days of a game can be the absolute worst days," noted user SwingyWingyShoes. "I’ll happily let others pay and play before me and suffer on my behalf." Both the open and closed beta periods of Diablo 4 were marred by long queue times and other sever issues, and its players haven't forgotten. Although General Manager Rod Ferguson has promised that the game's actual launch will go more smoothly than the beta, which he pointed out is intended to iron out any creases, it seems a lot of people aren't exactly eager to be first in line to, well, wait in line.
And Blizzard's track record with Diablo 3's launch still hangs heavy in a lot of memories. Redditor BreezyGoose, who credited Diablo 2 as the game that "made me into a 'gamer'," said Diablo 3 was the first game they ever preordered. Despite attending the midnight launch, they said they weren't even able to access the game until three days after it went live, with an implication that server issues played a major factor. "I never buy day one anymore," they stated. "I'll let other people be test dummies and read about their experiences online the first week before buying myself."
Despite the community gripes, Diablo 4 is on track for one of the most highly anticipated launches of the year, bringing with it plenty of new content and old throwbacks to previous entries. Fans will get to experience Diablo 4's official launch on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on June 6, or June 2, if you've shelled out the cash for the Deluxe or Ultimate editions.