Diablo IV Crosses $666 Million Sell-Through within Five Days of Launch

[btarunr]

Diablo IV had the best-selling opening in Blizzard's history, crossing an auspicious $666 million in global sell-through in the first five days following its June 6 launch. The latest installment for the Diablo series, and Blizzard's fastest-selling game ever, is the box-office equivalent of the biggest opening week of the year. The heroes of Sanctuary, the world in which Diablo is set, have already played more than 276 million hours, or more than 30,000 years.

"On behalf of Blizzard, we want to thank the millions of players around the world who are immersing themselves in Diablo IV," said Mike Ybarra, President of Blizzard Entertainment. "Diablo IV is a result of our incredible teams working together to craft and support genre-defining games, build legendary worlds, and inspire memories that will last a lifetime. We're humbled by the response, proud of the team, and remain committed to listening to our players and ensuring Diablo continues to exceed expectations for years to come."



So what are players doing with all this time spent in Diablo IV?

• 276 billion demons killed since Early Access: nearly 35 times the global population.
• Players have been vanquished over 316 million times
• …over 5 million of those vanquishings were at the hands of the Butcher.
• But they're not falling alone - players have created a party with friends over 166 million times.
• 163 players have made it to the maximum level in Hardcore mode, where deaths are permanent.

When players haven't been playing Diablo, they've been watching it - Diablo IV was the #1 game on Twitch from Early Access on June 1 through June 9, breaking Blizzard records for both hours streamed and watched over a similar period.

Blessed Mother Lilith is pleased with your devotion, mortals.
Diablo IV is available now, featuring cross-platform play and cross-progression on Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, plus up to four player co-op, including two player couch co-op on consoles.

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[AsRock]

Shame people don't tell them were to shove it.

We need your support as we don't have the Chinese market any more.

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

doubt Lucifer will answer that call since it's Acti-Blizz we're talking... XD

 

[Dr. Dro]

I would say that this is disappointing, although not entirely surprising. Gamers just can't help it, which is why the industry will never change.

 

[Guwapo77]

I would say that this is disappointing, although not entirely surprising. Gamers just can't help it, which is why the industry will never change.

Elaborate please. What is it that gamers can't help? This game wasn't broken on launch, the game is well polished which runs on multiple generations of hardware, and the game is fun af. So what's the issue?

 

[vmarv]

Elaborate please. What is it that gamers can't help? This game wasn't broken on launch, the game is well polished which runs on multiple generations of hardware, and the game is fun af. So what's the issue?

It's cool that it doesn't have game breaking bugs or problems. For me a big issue is the price: it's too high and having millions of players buying this game at launch or pre-ordering won't help to keep prices reasonable in the years to come.

 

[Kohl Baas]

It's cool that it doesn't have game breaking bugs or problems. For me a big issue is the price: it's too high and having millions of players buying this game at launch or pre-ordering won't help to keep prices reasonable in the years to come.

Current prices are pretty reasonable IMHO. Considering rising expenses and inflation 80$ is the new 60$. More so because 60 held itself way too long.

 

[ixi]

It's cool that it doesn't have game breaking bugs or problems. For me a big issue is the price: it's too high and having millions of players buying this game at launch or pre-ordering won't help to keep prices reasonable in the years to come.

yeah, I'm waiting for the price to go down under 30e to grab this game. 70 too much and I'm not supporting these silly prices.

 

[Dr. Dro]

Elaborate please. What is it that gamers can't help? This game wasn't broken on launch, the game is well polished which runs on multiple generations of hardware, and the game is fun af. So what's the issue?

Well, for starters, I guess that the whole thing with Blizzard being the actual devil to their employees (pun intended) is already long since forgiven in gamers' collective memory and I just hold a grudge, I guess. There's also the deal that I don't agree with the pricing strategy game publishers have adopted lately. This month game prices hiked around 85% in my region, for the most part, I can no longer afford to buy them. Diablo IV standard edition is selling for 349,90 BRL here. That's $72 USD in today's exchange rate. I haven't gotten a raise that high.

EA also raised the price of Apex coins by 85% in my region, I went from a guy that bought 4-5 full collection events a year (I openly admit that I spent $800 USD on Apex in 3 years playing) to not even buying the season passes. So there's that answer for you, EA, and every other developer ever. I just won't buy your new games or currency for your freemium games anymore, until they're on a heavy discount.

 

[Solaris17]

…over 5 million of those vanquishings were at the hands of the Butcher.

he got me in some random dungeon. I was walking around the corner and all I hear is "FRESH MEAT" then got my ass handed to me after about 12 seconds.

But they're not falling alone - players have created a party with friends over 166 million times.

That part isnt me. I solo the game.

 

[Kohl Baas]

Well, for starters, I guess that the whole thing with Blizzard being the actual devil to their employees (pun intended) is already long since forgiven in gamers' collective memory and I just hold a grudge, I guess. There's also the deal that I don't agree with the pricing strategy game publishers have adopted lately. This month game prices hiked around 85% in my region, for the most part, I can no longer afford to buy them. Diablo IV standard edition is selling for 349,90 BRL here. That's $72 USD in today's exchange rate. I haven't gotten a raise that high.

EA also raised the price of Apex coins by 85% in my region, I went from a guy that bought 4-5 full collection events a year (I openly admit that I spent $800 USD on Apex in 3 years playing) to not even buying the season passes. So there's that answer for you, EA, and every other developer ever. I just won't buy your new games or currency for your freemium games anymore, until they're on a heavy discount.

Yea, but why is that the gamers' due to fix? If "Blizzard being the actual devil to their employees" isn't that the employees' interest not to go working there for any amount of money? Seriously, why is it my presonal responsibility as a customer how the company treat their employees? The whole thing makes no sense.

-If the customers boycott Blizzard, they'll be forced to lay off their employees anyways.
-If employees leave en mass, Blizz is forced to better their situation to be able to serve the customers.

The second one would be a much greater driving force for betterment IMHO.

 

[Jun]

Well, for starters, I guess that the whole thing with Blizzard being the actual devil to their employees (pun intended) is already long since forgiven in gamers' collective memory and I just hold a grudge, I guess. There's also the deal that I don't agree with the pricing strategy game publishers have adopted lately. This month game prices hiked around 85% in my region, for the most part, I can no longer afford to buy them. Diablo IV standard edition is selling for 349,90 BRL here. That's $72 USD in today's exchange rate. I haven't gotten a raise that high.

EA also raised the price of Apex coins by 85% in my region, I went from a guy that bought 4-5 full collection events a year (I openly admit that I spent $800 USD on Apex in 3 years playing) to not even buying the season passes. So there's that answer for you, EA, and every other developer ever. I just won't buy your new games or currency for your freemium games anymore, until they're on a heavy discount.

Did you know there's also macro transaction in DiabloIV on top of the price of the game?

 

[igralec84]

he got me in some random dungeon. I was walking around the corner and all I hear is "FRESH MEAT" then got my ass handed to me after about 12 seconds.

I ran away once, he was in a basic cellar, wasn't expecting it hahaha

 

[Vayra86]

I would say that this is disappointing, although not entirely surprising. Gamers just can't help it, which is why the industry will never change.

It's cool that it doesn't have game breaking bugs or problems. For me a big issue is the price: it's too high and having millions of players buying this game at launch or pre-ordering won't help to keep prices reasonable in the years to come.

Well, for starters, I guess that the whole thing with Blizzard being the actual devil to their employees (pun intended) is already long since forgiven in gamers' collective memory and I just hold a grudge, I guess. There's also the deal that I don't agree with the pricing strategy game publishers have adopted lately. This month game prices hiked around 85% in my region, for the most part, I can no longer afford to buy them. Diablo IV standard edition is selling for 349,90 BRL here. That's $72 USD in today's exchange rate. I haven't gotten a raise that high.

EA also raised the price of Apex coins by 85% in my region, I went from a guy that bought 4-5 full collection events a year (I openly admit that I spent $800 USD on Apex in 3 years playing) to not even buying the season passes. So there's that answer for you, EA, and every other developer ever. I just won't buy your new games or currency for your freemium games anymore, until they're on a heavy discount.

Interesting points, but aren't you both trying insanely hard to find fault with a release that, for all intents and purposes, is in fact a herculean effort that's gone remarkably well? You know I'm a hypercritical bastard just the same, more often than not... But I don't quite get the arguments here. At. All.

- Game has more content than any Diablo before it, and is a pretty intelligent mix of game elements people have asked for in Diablo. Is it perfect? Doubtful, but it'll cater to many different types of audience. Its mainstream oriented, sure. But for a mainstream oriented game, it doesn't annoy me at all like every other similar one does. That's quite an achievement in terms of middle ground.
- Shop/MTX are fully cosmetic, so all is well on the front of 'paying more beyond the initial purchase'. The deal is fair. You can buy more if you have no restraint, who cares. Extra content isn't going to be pushed into your face every login, you get a proper expansion deal instead. Isn't this EXACTLY what gamers have been asking for, for decades ever since the content DLC madness began?
- The game is crossplatform @ launch. Had some login issues, those got fixed within a week, requiring several patches. Today there are no queues, no nothing. You just log in. With multiple millions of players across platforms. That's good even on Blizzard's track record and considering the # of players they deal with.

As for company being the devil to their employees... sorry man but what. You realize you game on a PC built on parts made by the cheapest labor on the planet? We're on smartphones made by Foxconn? I thought you were a person of logic and rational thought? We're talking about software developers here that have every opportunity to make whatever career path choice they could ever want. The world is screaming for good IT workforce. If their employer is shit why are they staying? The answer is simple: their individual qualities are not of a level that makes them confident enough they'll get it better anywhere else. This speaks strongly of a lack of talent more so than a bad employer Talent always leaves the company DIRECTLY if the employer sucks. That's why we have so many indies that manage to release strong content with much smaller teams. And its why AAA publishers struggle to release anything worthwhile lately, notably EA. You mention Apex, guess what, Respawn is one of those teams EA hasn't ripped apart yet.

And then you go on to say you spent 800 USD on Apex coins but not having 72 USD for a full priced game. That's nearly 11 Diablo 4's.
Wow man, just wow. If anything the reason the industry is what it is, is YOUR consumer behaviour. Not that of those who spent 70 bucks on a full game. I can't even remotely understand your logic here, honestly flabbergasted.

 

[bug]

I've heard it getting review-bombed on Metacritic. No idea why, tho.

 

[Kohl Baas]

I've heard it getting review-bombed on Metacritic. No idea why, tho.

Will be as effective as the Hogwarts Legacy boycott...

 

[bug]

Will be as effective as the Hogwarts Legacy boycott...

Kinda hard for me tell if it will be effective, wothout knowing what the beef is.

 

[Prima.Vera]

It feels like a dumbsized WOW at times. Way too many boring side quest and the world is extremally dull and flat. I mean, the graphics is WAY WORST and boring compared to Diablo 2 - Resurrected.
The music also sucks, or is nothing epic like it was in the same D1/D2. The atmosphere sometimes feels like in Diablo Immoral, which definitely is not a good thing.
Dungeons are waaaay to long and repetitive. You always have to complete the same tasks in dungeons even if they are on different Acts. I mean this is really lazy programing.
The only plus, is the well done Skill Tree. Is very close to Diablo 2 one, but way better improved. However in order to progress after level 50 you really need to do all those stupid side quests, events, etc

 

[Kapone33]

yeah, I'm waiting for the price to go down under 30e to grab this game. 70 too much and I'm not supporting these silly prices.

You could potentially be waiting a long time. Diablo 4 is that good. Especially if you really enjoyed 2. Then look how long it took for 3 to reduce in price after launch.

 

[Guwapo77]

It's cool that it doesn't have game breaking bugs or problems. For me a big issue is the price: it's too high and having millions of players buying this game at launch or pre-ordering won't help to keep prices reasonable in the years to come.

$70 isn't bad for a game for a game like this, not even remotely. Do know that it will be on sale just like all games - eventually. Once it goes on sale, it will be one of the best games you've bought in awhile.

Well, for starters, I guess that the whole thing with Blizzard being the actual devil to their employees (pun intended) is already long since forgiven in gamers' collective memory and I just hold a grudge, I guess. There's also the deal that I don't agree with the pricing strategy game publishers have adopted lately. This month game prices hiked around 85% in my region, for the most part, I can no longer afford to buy them. Diablo IV standard edition is selling for 349,90 BRL here. That's $72 USD in today's exchange rate. I haven't gotten a raise that high.

EA also raised the price of Apex coins by 85% in my region, I went from a guy that bought 4-5 full collection events a year (I openly admit that I spent $800 USD on Apex in 3 years playing) to not even buying the season passes. So there's that answer for you, EA, and every other developer ever. I just won't buy your new games or currency for your freemium games anymore, until they're on a heavy discount.

Apex legends $800 in three years? Bruv, that is 11.4 games that you could have bought for that money and you blame the publishers? I'm not going to blame you for what you spend you money on, but that move is why the industry is the way it is... Once this game reaches a level in which you can afford/willing to pay, I hope you enjoy it because it is damn good. I can assure you that I will NOT be buying any cosmetic sets.

 

[Kapone33]

$70 isn't bad for a game for a game like this, not even remotely. Do know that it will be on sale just like all games - eventually. Once it goes on sale, it will be one of the best games you've bought in awhile.


Apex legends $800 in three years? Bruv, that is 11.4 games that you could have bought for that money and you blame the publishers? I'm not going to blame you for what you spend you money on, but that move is why the industry is the way it is... Once this game reaches a level in which you can afford/willing to pay, I hope you enjoy it because it is damn good. I can assure you that I will NOT be buying any cosmetic sets.

Looking at it another way that is also almost 5 years of Humble Bundle, but if you enjoy it and can afford it whatever. I guess I won't be getting a Mount anytime soon either even though they fully advertise it.

 

[SAINT ENZO]

It's cool that it doesn't have game breaking bugs or problems. For me a big issue is the price: it's too high and having millions of players buying this game at launch or pre-ordering won't help to keep prices reasonable in the years to come.

The standard price of a videogame has been $60 since the 1990's. Meanwhile inflation is up like 300% since then.

 

[bug]

The standard price of a videogame has been $60 since the 1990's. Meanwhile inflation is up like 300% since then.

It was $50 back then. I think sometime around 2005-2007 publishers started charging $60.

And I'm fine with whatever MSRP they feel like charging. And I'm ok with subscriptions. And even microtransactions. But I'm not fine with charging the full price and then asking for a subscription or microtransactions. That's just greed.

 

[Vayra86]

yeah, I'm waiting for the price to go down under 30e to grab this game. 70 too much and I'm not supporting these silly prices.

Blizzard games rarely get sales. This aint Steam...

 

[Franzen4Real]

You realize you game on a PC built on parts made by the cheapest labor on the planet? We're on smartphones made by Foxconn?

You beat me to it.... I was trying to figure out what device this commenter could possibly be using to post on these forums, as Foxconn extends waaay beyond just phones. People are not going to stand by their convictions and boycott devices such as pc's and cell phones built by suicidal factory workers--- that would cause them too much inconvenience. So instead they practice selective outrage when fishing for 'likes'.

And then you go on to say you spent 800 USD on Apex coins but not having 72 USD for a full priced game. That's nearly 11 Diablo 4's.

Personally, having a great time in D4. Have zero interest in the additional purchase of store items, and will get $70 worth of entertainment over the next few hundred game play hours, no doubt.