Pre-orders for Diablo 4 are now open, with players able to choose from three separate editions that each pack their own unique bonuses. Blizzard tends to offer incentives for players to pre-order games, and that is the case for Diablo 4 as well. However, those incentives can usually be obtained even after the game's release depending on the edition players purchase, and players could be hesitant to pre-order a Diablo game after the issues that Diablo 3 and Diablo Immortal have faced.
Diablo 4 will take players back to Sanctuary, a land that has been stuck in the middle of battles between Heaven and Hell in the past, and is now being threatened by the return of Lilith. Players who pre-order Diablo 4 will not only receive pets, mounts, and cosmetic sets, but they'll be able to return to Sanctuary earlier than players who don't pre-order. Pre-orders give players access to open beta, and the closed beta for Diablo 4 leaked endgame footage, which could help players decide if they want to spend money early for the game, or wait until release and read more reviews.
Diablo 4 Has Three Editions Available To Pre-Order
Players have the choice between three editions for Diablo 4: Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Ultimate. As is typical of games with multiple editions, purchasing the more expensive editions will also give players the incentives offered with the cheaper editions. However, not all the incentives included in the pre-order editions are for Diablo 4 as some are for other Blizzard titles instead. Since pre-ordering comes with the risk that the released game isn't what players expected and the prices can be fairly high depending upon the edition purchased, this article will break down what each edition of Diablo 4 offers to help players make an informed decision if they decide to pre-order.
The Standard Edition Is The Lowest Tier To Pre-Order For Diablo 4
Diablo 4 is following up on Diablo Immortal, Blizzard's worst-rated game, but players seem to be hoping that the studio/publisher has learned from its mistakes. Unlike Diablo Immortal, Diablo 4 won't be free, and the Standard Edition is the cheapest version available for $70.00. The Standard Edition includes early access for Diablo 4's open beta, so players will be able to return to Sanctuary early even with this edition. Players will also get the Light Bearer Mount and, for World of Warcraft, the Amalgam of Rage Mount. However, players should note that World of Warcraft must be purchased separately and isn't included in any of the Diablo 4 editions.
The Standard Edition also includes in-game items for Diablo Immortal and Diablo 3, which had MMO elements during development. For Diablo 3, players can get the Inarius Wings and Inarius Murloc Pet. Then, for Diablo Immortal, they can receive the Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set with their pre-order.
The Digital Deluxe Edition Is The Pre-Order Middle Ground For Diablo 4
The Digital Deluxe Edition for Diablo 4 costs $90.00 and includes all the content that comes with the Standard Edition. In addition, players will be able to play the full-release version of Diablo 4 up to four days early. For in-game items, players will receive the Temptation Mount and Hellborn Carapace Mount Armor. Aside from items, the Digital Deluxe Edition includes a Premium Season Battle Pass Unlock, which will also be sold separately for $10.00.
The Diablo 4 Ultimate Edition Is Not Too Different From The Digital Deluxe Edition
The Diablo 4 hands-on game preview shows that Blizzard has learned from its mistakes regarding Diablo 3 and Diablo Immortal. Players who want to pre-order the Ultimate Edition are looking at a $100.00 price tag. The Ultimate Edition has only two differences from the Digital Deluxe Edition. Instead of the Premium Season Battle Pass, players will receive an Accelerated Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock, which includes an additional 20 tier skips and cosmetics. The second difference is that the Ultimate Edition also gives players the Wings of the Creator Emote. Aside from that, these additions are the same.
Why Players Might (And Might Not) Hesitate To Pre-Order Diablo 4
Diablo Immortal was quickly rated as Blizzard's worst game when it was released, and before that, Diablo 3 had a rough launch that left the game nearly unplayable for some. However, Diablo 4 alpha tests had a positive reception, which could make players more willing to pre-order the game as it seems that Blizzard is working to avoid repeating its mistakes. Although the prices could dissuade players from the Ultimate Edition, the Standard Edition also includes a decent amount of content for around the typical price of a AAA game.
On the other hand, some players are still waiting for a new Diablo game that captures the feeling of the first two games. The positive reception that Diablo 4 has been receiving in testing so far could be enough to make pre-ordering for the chance to play the game early worth the money for some players. Another draw for Diablo 4 pre-orders could be returning to a game that is a one-time purchase aside from extra cosmetics instead of spending money in Diablo Immortal.
Diablo 4 boasts a few other key features as well, such as an open world that is explorable and changing. Players can customize their characters through Paragon Boards, skills, talents, and cosmetics. Story-wise, one big change is that the main antagonist isn't Diablo. Instead, Lilith, daughter of Mephisto, is returning to Sanctuary after being trapped in exile. As far as pre-ordering goes, these features may not be big draws since they'll be the same with or without pre-ordering, which might make them incentives to buy Diablo 4 after its release instead.
Pre-ordering can be a topic of debate among players, but it seems to be a trend that won't be disappearing anytime soon. However, the bonuses that companies include and having different options for pre-ordering can help make more players willing to spend money on an unfinished game. Diablo 4 has a 2023 release date, but Blizzard is offering incentives to get players to pre-order the game before then. However, the greatest incentive that Blizzard is offering for pre-orders might be early access to the closed beta, which can be obtained from purchasing any edition, but after the issues the last two titles released for the franchise faced, players might be hesitant about buying and playing Diablo 4.
Source: Diablo/YouTube
Editor’s Note: A lawsuit has been filed against Activision Blizzard by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which alleges the company has engaged in abuse, discrimination, and retaliation against its female employees. Activision Blizzard has denied the allegations. The full details of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit (content warning: rape, suicide, abuse, harassment) are being updated as new information becomes available.
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Diablo 4
- Developer:
- Blizzard Team 3, Blizzard Albany
- Franchise:
- Diablo
- Genre:
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
- Platform:
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
- Publisher:
- Blizzard Entertainment
- ESRB:
- M
- Summary:
- Players are set to return to the world of Sanctuary in Diablo 4. Set after the events of Diablo 3's Reaper of Souls DLC, Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto, has been summoned to the world and has assumed power in the absence of demons and angels. Lilith establishes Sanctuary as a haven for refugees caught in the crossfire between hell and heaven. Wanting to protect her kind from the recently emerged Nephelem, Lilith is banished to the void. Now she has returned, seeking revenge for the crimes committed against her. Players will choose between staple class choices, such as Barbarian, Sorceress, Druid, Rogue, and Necromancer, as they battle alone or together against Lilith's forces.
- Prequel:
- Diablo 3
- Released:
- 2023-06-02
- How Long To Beat:
- 34 hours
