Diablo 4 Repeats Predecessor's Mistake; Controversial 'Feature' Returns
Blizzard has kept its word: Diablo IV will be unplayable without a network connection, and on consoles it will probably also be necessary to purchase a PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Diablo IV will not only repeat, but also double down on one of - according to some players - the mistakes of the previous installment. Internet users have noticed (via ResetEra) that the fourth Diablo will require a permanent Internet connection and, on consoles, a subscription as well.
Diablo 4's card on PlayStation Store states that a PS Plus subscription and "online play" are required to play. The same is confirmed by the game's entry on Microsoft's official store: users will have to purchase an Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, even if they are interested only in the single-player mode.
For the record, this is not a complete surprise. Back in November 2019, the developers informed that they do not foresee the possibility of offline play. Let's also remember that one of the attractions of D4 is supposed to be an MMO-like world shared with other players (except for dungeons, which will be private sessions, so to speak).
Nevertheless, some fans were deluded that the developers would abandon the mandatory Internet connection. Admittedly, this requirement is already present in Diablo III, but on consoles subscriptions are only needed to play with other players. For solo play or in local co-op mode it is enough to have an Xbox Live or PlayStation Network account. A similar solution was used in Path of Exile.
It is also worth noting that offline mode is available in Diablo II: Resurrected. The only requirement is to select the appropriate option in the settings and log into your account at least once every 30 days.
Of course, none of these games places as much emphasis on online features as Diablo IV does. Nevertheless, some players are disappointed that Blizzard apparently decided not to include an offline mode, for example, in the form of characters that could not be transferred to online play.
However, it is worth noting that Diablo IV's card in the Xbox store is tagged "Single-player mode." The question is, is this a mistake by Microsoft or a ray of hope for solo fans?
