As a longtime fan of Blizzard, I’ve seen the company go from delivering groundbreaking experiences to what feels like a shadow of its former self. Some of you may wonder why there’s so much “toxicity” or criticism directed toward Blizzard these days. Let me explain why many of us are upset and why it’s a justified sentiment rooted in our shared passion for quality games.
The Investment vs. The Return
Many of us spent $100 or more on Diablo IV for early access. What did we get in return? A game that feels like it’s still in open beta.
- No meaningful endgame: After grinding through the main story, the endgame feels hollow and uninspired. There’s no long-term progression or satisfaction to keep players engaged.
- Buggy experience: Despite being in development for over six years, the game was riddled with bugs, balance issues, and design oversights that make it feel unpolished. Two years after launch, it seems like Blizzard is still trying to fix a sinking ship.
- Underwhelming seasonal content: The majority of the seasons have failed to deliver compelling reasons to return, leaving players frustrated and disappointed.
For a game developed by a studio with Blizzard’s resources and reputation, these issues are unacceptable. Where is the evolution? Where is the attempt to push the genre forward like Blizzard once did?
Comparing D4 to Other Games
What’s even more frustrating is the comparison to Diablo II: Resurrected (D2R), a remaster of a 20+ year-old game that was outsourced yet still offers a better experience. It’s hard not to feel like Blizzard’s internal development team has lost its magic.
Let’s also talk numbers. Blizzard reportedly made over $666 million in revenue from Diablo IV within its first five days of release—an incredible feat. Yet, the quality of the game doesn’t reflect that level of success. Where is all that money going?
Now compare that to Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), which has an estimated production cost of $30-$50 million, according to industry speculation. Grinding Gear Games, a much smaller studio, is delivering what looks like a deeper, more innovative ARPG experience without the massive budget Blizzard has. It’s proof that passion and good design can outweigh flashy marketing and big names.
What Happened to Blizzard’s Standards?
Blizzard was once synonymous with excellence. The games they released—Diablo II, StarCraft, Warcraft, and World of Warcraft—set the standard for their respective genres. They were masterpieces born from passionate teams with a commitment to quality.
But the Blizzard of today feels like it’s run by corporate interests rather than developers who love the games they’re making. Many of the talented developers who created those iconic titles have left, replaced by individuals who either lack the vision or are constrained by decisions that prioritize profits over player experience.
We’re Not Asking for Perfection, Just Blizzard’s Best
It’s not wrong to enjoy Diablo IV, and you have every right to play and find joy in it. But let’s not pretend that this is the standard of quality Blizzard once represented. This isn’t a hate post—it’s a call for accountability and improvement.
If Blizzard can profit so immensely off of Diablo IV because of the Diablo name, then they owe it to us—the fans and players who built that name’s reputation—to deliver a game worthy of it. As it stands, Diablo IV is not that game, and it’s time Blizzard reflects on what made their older titles timeless and applies those lessons to the future.
We deserve better. And frankly, Blizzard deserves to be held to a higher standard than this.
