Image: Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard is holding two open betas for Diablo 4 next month, allowing everyone to try out the game before launch.
Blizzard has announced a pair of open betas for Diablo 4 will kick off in March, allowing players on all platforms to try the highly-anticipated action-RPG early. While previous beta tests focused on gathering feedback for endgame content and loot mechanics, these betas will mainly focus on the new player experience and combat.
The first open beta runs from March 17 to 19, but it’s only available for anyone who has already pre-ordered the game. Early access will be given out to these players automatically. Everyone else won’t have to wait too long to get in on the action, however. On March 24 to 26, Lilith opens her arms to welcome all newcomers to Sanctuary across all platforms (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC) for free.
So, what’s in this open beta anyway? Both open beta weekends will consist of the same content, which allows players to try out Diablo 4’s prologue and the entirety of Act 1. You’ll be able to fully explore the opening zone, Fractured Peaks, but there is a level cap of 25. You can still hack and slash enemies to your heart’s content even after reaching it. You just won’t level up anymore.
Besides that, players will be able to take on dungeons and sidequests, “beyond the story of Act 1,” according to Blizzard, but the publisher doesn’t make it clear just how much campaign content is available to play in the beta. Blizzard could choose to limit the character classes available to play in the beta, or cut out some story content to hide spoilers - but we’ll have to wait until more details are shared over the coming weeks.
Diablo 4’s campaign brings players back to Sanctuary, where they’ll face off against Lilith, the fearsome daughter of Mephisto. Players can choose from five different character classes to fight off their demonic antagonist: the Barbarian, the Sorceress, the Druid, the Rogue and the Necromancer. The game launches on June 6, 2023, with huge seasons of content already in the pipeline for the rest of the year and beyond.
