The entire goings-on about the mighty monies of the Berserk-inspired Diablo IV cosmetics has become a saturated circus, with the voices screeching from one end of the spectrum being contemptible. Guts’ armor and Griffith’s smooth visage are the very new skins in the in-game shop. Oh, they look sick! Now, the price, well, that’s where the drama ends.
A dramatic “Shred your enemies with the relentless wrath of the Hawk” caption was put out on the Diablo official’s channel. So ready were the fans to welcome them? An angry mob in that very first instant started their tirades even before publicity for the set could start, accusing Blizzard of charging as much for a single cosmetic set as it would take to purchase an indie title. One user, @pietpip, said the glaringly obvious: “Your cosmetics cost the same as a day’s groceries and some indie games.” Ouch!
And it is not only one or two voices that complain; this, in fact, is all-out rebellion. @fftactics98 went full caps-lock rage: “YAYYYYYYY ONLY FOR THE LOW LOW PRICE OF $25!!!!!! YAYYYYYYYYYY WHAT A DEAL!!!!!!!!!!! HALF THE PRICE OF THE WHOLE FUKIN GAME FOR 1 SKIN.” Meanwhile, @TheSickness_x used the Blizzard tagline against them: “Relentless wrath of the wallet.” Savage.
However, what is more than price tag. Gamers are disappointed with Blizzard because they are concentrating on the cash grab cosmetics rather than real content. @_ySoCereal shot: “Moneymoneymoney, how about some real endgame content? As you’ve lost this customer, haven’t even logged in s8.” Others like @Mojo514 pleaded for the devs to focus on gameplay: “Listen to the players & understand wat u need to improve.”
But there are some who ain’t mad. These superfans of Berserk @MOOREHOUSE423 were proudly flaunting their purchase: “Got it.” However, even some supporters of the manga crossover thing consider Blizzard to have missed some opportunities. @ButtercupsGame lamented the lack of a Casca skin for female characters: “No Casca skin for us girl gamers was such a loss😭.”
So think it’s heavy? Pricing-wise, getting one skin is $25 to $30, while the price for a full set is rumored to be over $150. That is a lot higher than the base price of the game. So, to a game already shunned for no endgame depth, this should put salt into the wound. @Onionbrain1 summed it up really well: “Paying the price of a full game just to make your character look different in Diablo. How has this industry gone so wrong.”
If there is such a thing as an unfair micro-transaction, that would be it. Then maybe the Berserk fanbase is talking-an overly passionate bunch-or just players tired of the nickel and dime. Anyway, the message is clear: Cool skins cannot make up for a slap-in-the-face price.
Will Blizzard respond? Won’t happen. But if adulation keeps on growing, they might think about switching up their strategy-or they will get to see players walking away for good. For now, though, the shop is still open, the skins are shining, and wallets are remaining shut. At least for most of the players.
A bit of advice: If still undecided, maybe wait for a discount; better yet, you should consider re-playing Diablo II, as @Odirtyblasta said: “Just play Diablo 2 remaster.” That is some solid advice if you ask me.
Well, the newest skin line for Diablo IV has arrived and indeed, looks really good. But at that price, these skins might be the last nail being hammered onto players already carrying several complaints against Blizzard monetization. What a time to be a gamer: looking cool is more costly than playing the darn game.
