Diablo Immortal in smartphone format is fun, has a touch interface that works well and will appeal to even the most demanding fans of action RPGs. Its problem is that it’s free-to-play. It means that it is free, it means that generally you pay for cosmetic items as in the case of Fortnite. In the Blizzard game, however, the microtransaction system has raised numerous protests. At the release of the game on PCs and smartphones, content creators and gamers invaded social media accusing Diablo Immortal of having succumbed to the pay-per-win logic where basically whoever pays wins. Let’s try to explain what happened. Microtransactions are common in free-to-play games. Even the title of Blizzard which is a historical franchise that was born single player in this version for PC and smartphone is a free-to-play in the sense that it can be completed even without spending a penny. The more you play the further you go, the more you gain experience and upgrade your character. However, in order to bring the character to its full potential, it is necessary to obtain the Legendary Gems. And here the problems begin.
The Legendary Gems that make you better
There are five types of Legendary Gems, the 5 Star one being the best. Owning these Gems can completely turn the tide of a battle, so it affects the game, making it easier to win. In order to get them, players must necessarily go through the opening of loot boxes, prize crates, called Legendary Crest where you do not know what you will find there. They are not easy to obtain. It has been calculated that without microtransactions only a limited number of them can be obtained per month. To be sure of getting a five-star gem you have to open at least 50 loot boxes and it means playing a lot. However, if you don’t want to play or wait too long, you can rely on microtransactions. Because Legendary Gems and Runes can be purchased for real money.
Not just aesthetics
The point is that the in-game purchases in Diablo serve as well as for aesthetic reasons to increase the potential of the character. So the controversy for now must be seen in this context. From the point of view of the gaming experience, nothing changes. The same contents are accessed at different times, however, because less time is lost with a more powerful character. But how much is it? Some players have calculated that to reach the maximum potential and therefore get all the gems and upgrade them to the maximum level it would take no less than 100 thousand dollars. Which are really many, perhaps too many. However, these figures have sparked even more controversy. To try to clarify, without succeeding, Wyatt Cheng, the game director of Diablo Immortal, intervened. According to him, it was clear from the start that there were going to be microtransactions in the game and that they were going to be about enhancing the character. Basically, he said pay-to-win logic was in things. Many players did not understand this, and reacted by storming Metacritic, an indicator that measures audience satisfaction among other things with the aim of lowering the rating for the video game. Diablo Immortal’s Metascore is currently 0.6 / 10, the third lowest in Metacritic history. It should be added that in Belgium and the Netherlands the loot boxes are assimilated to the prize funds and therefore Diablo Immortal has been banned.
Personal judgment.
As a gamer, the game is well done. And it’s free. I personally don’t like the play-to-win logic. I prefer to pay and then compete on an equal footing with others. However, if you build a free-to-play it must be explained well and in advance in order to make clear the type of challenge you are facing. There are also those who argue that loot box dynamics should be limited in free games. Especially for younger players. And perhaps a cap should also be placed on monthly transactions to limit overspending. The criticisms of the players in this regard are useful. And those who produce games should take this into account.