Blizzard is warning those planning to participate in theDiablo 4open beta this weekend that it expects long queue times and even server downtime. The open beta is expected to be a hugely popular event. It will be the last timeDiablofans are able to tryDiablo 4before the game’s release date in June. It’s also the only chance fans will get to try the Necromancer and Druid classes. Technical issues were expected, given it’s a beta test, but if Blizzard is warningDiablo 4players early then the risk must be high.The launch of theDiablo 4early access beta is perhaps a glimpse of what fans can expect come the start of the open beta. When the early access beta launched this past weekend, queues quickly grew to over two hours. Queues were just the start of theDiablo 4early access beta’s problems, though. Players experienced frequent server disconnects and crashes, forcing them to restart the queue and wait even longer to playDiablo 4. The server issues were largely improved over the course of the weekend, at least.RELATED:Blizzard Confirms Diablo 4 Launch Won’t Suffer Same Beta Connection IssuesDiablo 4’s open beta will officially begin Friday morning. It will then last through the weekend, allowing for about four total days of playtime. Blizzard shared a message regarding the upcoming open beta, if only to set healthy expectations regarding what’s coming. The post, made on the official Blizzard forums, says thatDiablo 4queue timesare expected to be “lengthy.” Friday especially is expected to be challenging. While Blizzard is better prepared after last weekend’s early access beta, the number of players for the open beta will be significantly higher.
It isn’t just queues that Blizzard is warning about, either. Blizzard also says that it’s possibleDiablo 4’s open betaservers will be taken offline for maintenance at times over the weekend, as well. These temporary server outages will be necessary for server adjustments and fixes. They aren’t a certainty, but Blizzard does seem persuaded they’re a serious possibility.
What’s important to remember is that this is a beta test and not a demo, despite modern beta tests frequently being treated like demos.Diablo 4is still months away from its full launch. Blizzard is still hard at work finishing the game. The data and feedback Blizzard collects from this and last weekend’s betas will be used to improve the game.
Diablo 4’s open beta officially begins Friday, March 24, at 9:00 AM PDT and will end Monday, March 27, at 12:00 PM PDT. The open beta is currently available to preorder and will require between 35 and 90 GB of download depending on the platform. Players will have access tofive classes including Necromancer and Druid, the full first zone ofDiablo 4, and the full story of Act 1. Those who reach level 20 during the beta will be rewarded with a special puppy backpack whenDiablo 4launches.
Diablo 4releases June 6 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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