Most AAA games these days seem to launch with an abundance of microtransactions, and Diablo 4 is no different. From the very first day, Blizzard introduced a cash shop where players can spend real money for digital goods. While it seems to be a lot better than Diablo Immortal's microtransactions, Diablo 4's version is still a bit concerning.
Diablo 4's microtransactions are currently only for cosmetic armor sets, and that will likely not change. It is a pretty standard feature in almost every modern Blizzard game as titles like World of Warcraft and Overwatch feature dozens of purchasable cosmetics. However, the prices may make Diablo 4 awfully expensive as the years go by.
Diablo 4's Cash Shop Seems Expensive
Sometimes, studios will wait until the game has been out for a bit before introducing its microtransaction model, but Blizzard did not wait. It did not even wait until the actual release date as Diablo 4's cash shop appeared the minute the early access period began. It did not just start small either as there are already dozens of purchasable cosmetic bundles. These bundles range from class sets to collectible mounts, and each one seems more expensive than the last.
Diablo 4's microtransactions use a form of currency known as platinum. There is currently no way to earn platinum in-game, nor does it seem like Blizzard has plans to add one. Instead, players must spend real world money to acquire platinum through the store. It can be purchased in six different tiers with the cheapest being $1.99 and the most expensive being $99.99. This all seems like a standard microtransaction model, but the prices make this one hurt even more.
The cheapest cosmetics cost anywhere between 800-1,000 platinum. Players who want any of those cosmetics will have to purchase the 1,000 platinum tier for $9.99. That is $10 for a simple digital good, but every item after seems to be even worse. The next platinum tier costs $24.99, and most cosmetics cost more than 1,000 platinum. This means that players will have to spend between $20-$25 for almost every cosmetic in Diablo 4's store, and if they want multiple sets, they may quickly find themselves spending over $100. The store will also refresh every couple of days, so some may even find themselves spending over $100 weekly.
This store is nothing new for AAA gaming, but that does not necessarily make it right. Diablo 4 already costs $70, it will include a purchasable battle pass once season one begins, and it features this cash shop. There currently does not seem to be any way to earn these additional items by playing the game, and that could make the game awfully expensive for players. While games are expensive to make, these store prices seem a bit extreme.
Diablo Immortal became notorious for its microtransaction model, and luckily Blizzard seems to have learned some things from it. Diablo 4's microtransactions are purely cosmetic right now, and hopefully that does not change. This means that players who do not buy into this stuff will not feel underpowered, and those that do will just be able to flaunt their shiny armor appearances. That is a welcome change from the last entry, but there is no reason these sets are as expensive as they are.
Diablo 4 has been a great game so far, and it feels like a fantastic return to form for the franchise. Blizzard has reminded players once again why they fell in love with Diablo in the first place, but that does not mean every decision the company has made is a good one. Hopefully, these prices are lowered, or the studio adds a way to earn platinum in-game. Diablo 4 can have its cash shop, but it needs to be more accessible to the masses.
Diablo 4 releases June 6 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
