Diablo 4 Launch Race Event Sparks Controversy Among Players

Blizzard Entertainment has announced a new "race event" to mark the launch of Diablo 4, promising to immortalize the first 1000 players who reach the Level 100 cap in the game's hardcore mode. However, the competition has sparked controversy among the gaming community, with some players arguing that it grants an unfair advantage to certain players​.

Race Event Details

To participate in the event, players must reach Level 100 on hardcore mode and share their achievement on Twitter with the hashtag #Diablo4Hardcore. Successful participants will have their usernames etched onto a virtual statue of Lilith, a character in the Diablo universe. The event is set to commence on the 1st of June, and is limited to the first 1000 players to reach the Level 100 cap​​.

Controversy and Reactions

Despite the exciting premise of the race event, some members of the gaming community have expressed concerns about the fairness of the competition. They argue that those with early access to the game, including reviewers and content creators, possess an "unfair advantage" given their familiarity with the game's systems and combat mechanisms. These critics believe that this prior exposure to the game gives these players an edge in the race to Level 100​¹​.

In response to these criticisms, Blizzard GM Rod Fergusson reminded the community that all characters and progress of players with early access were deleted on the preceding Friday. However, this explanation did not appease some players, who have called for a complete prohibition of early access players from participating in the competition​​.

One player likened the situation to a marathon race, arguing that a player who has had the opportunity to learn about bosses, acts, and the mechanics of gearing and leveling up would certainly have an advantage over a player encountering these elements for the first time. "Exactly the same way someone who trained for a marathon months in advance would win a race against someone who just heard about it"​.

As of now, Blizzard has not officially responded to these complaints or revised the eligibility criteria for its race event​.

What's Next for Diablo 4?

Despite the controversy, Blizzard continues to make future plans for Diablo 4. The developer recently revealed its post-launch strategy for the game, which includes the introduction of a new season each quarter. These seasons will bring a range of additions to the game, including new questlines, battle passes, legendary items, class balance changes, and more. Season 1 is expected to kick off in mid to late July, following the game's launch in early June. Players will need to complete the campaign to access the season's battle pass, which involves completing chapters comprising various objectives. Players who complete all the objectives in a chapter will receive seasonal rewards, including crafting materials and legendary aspects for their Codex of Power​​.

In a related development, Blizzard is celebrating the first anniversary of Diablo Immortal with a Diablo 4-themed crossover event, further expanding the Diablo universe for its dedicated player base​​.

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