Chapter 1: Initial Impressions

My experience with Diablo Immortal has taken a drastic turn, leading me to remove it from my iPad.

In early June, I shared my first thoughts on the game, and they were quite favorable. To quote myself:

"The only question that truly matters is, 'Is it enjoyable?' The answer is yes. It is enjoyable. The expansive world, along with narratives reminiscent of earlier titles, made it an exciting diversion. Should you give it a try? Absolutely."

However, over the last six weeks, a significant issue that I previously noted has worsened — the game’s relentless demand for my financial investment.

Back in June, I pointed out that Diablo Immortal was clearly crafted as a cash cow, yet players could largely overlook this aspect unless they were particularly vulnerable. I was correct, but only to a certain extent.

As you advance in character levels, it becomes increasingly clear that financial contributions are necessary to progress. In fact, the gameplay halts entirely unless you’re willing to spend money. It’s reminiscent of a classic arcade machine, but instead of quarters, it craves dollars — a lot of dollars.

Upon realizing Blizzard's long-term strategy, I became curious about how much it would take to fully maximize a character's abilities. Fortunately, several writers have done the heavy lifting on this topic.

Estimates vary widely, but let’s consider the lower end:

$100,000, or if you prefer the completely free route, a decade of your life.

Yes, you read that correctly. A one followed by five zeros. In some regions, that could buy you a modest home. And that’s just the low estimate; some sources suggest it could be as high as $500,000.

Half a million dollars. For a mere game character. A digital asset that Blizzard can revoke at any time, without even providing a blockchain guarantee of ownership.

Can you fathom the audacity? The insensitivity? The mere thought is astonishing. Especially when you take into account that this $100,000-$500,000 investment is for just one character. If memory serves, Diablo Immortal allows for six character slots. Therefore, to fully upgrade all six, you’d be looking at a total of $600,000 to $3,000,000.

Excuse my language, but that’s absolutely outrageous.

Blizzard Entertainment has been a staple in the gaming industry for over thirty years. For most of that time, they were regarded as one of the most respected developers in the field. However, this unchecked greed, coupled with recent scandals surrounding workplace misconduct, is rapidly eroding that reputation.

Consequently, I made the decision to delete Diablo Immortal. I removed it and gave the icon a dismissive gesture as it disappeared from my screen.

A critical look at Overwatch 2's monetization practices and why they have sparked outrage among players.

Chapter 2: The Cost of Progression

The monetization strategy employed by Blizzard in Diablo Immortal has not only frustrated players but also raised ethical questions about the state of gaming today.

An examination of Warlords Awakening and its controversial rebranding as an MMORPG cash grab.