Blizzard’s controversial Diablo Immortal was released with large amounts and high revenue. He also started an ongoing debate about in-game shopping, digital gambling, free mobile games and addiction. The big publisher has remained silent amid negative headlines and criticism. But in a new interview, Blizzard boss Mike Ybarra has defended the game’s launch and its controversial monetization, citing the app store’s high reviews to claim that most gamers enjoy the game.
In yesterday’s extensive interview with the LA Times, Blizzard President Mike Ybarra spoke on a number of issues, including the many issues Blizzard faces as it navigates the aftermath of this year’s explosive demand. passed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the consequent flood of harassment and discrimination lawsuits directed at Activision Blizzard.
He also talked about the company’s latest game, the free action-RPG spin-off for mobile Diablo Immortal. While many have criticized in-game purchases, low drop rates, and possibly the mechanics of exploitation, Ybarra defended the game, saying Blizzard created it so players could “literally make 99.5% of the whole game “for free yet get a full one. “Diablo Experience”.
“Monetization is coming to an end in the game,” Ybarra told the network. “The philosophy has always been to lead with a great game and make sure hundreds of millions of people can spend the entire campaign at no cost. From that point of view, I feel great as an introduction to Diablo.”
Ybarra also told the LA Times that he and other people in the company are well aware of online complaints and concerns. But he still defended the mobile ARPG by pointing out its high rating in Apple’s App Store, which seems to be that the wider community of people who play Immortal have no problem with the game or its in-app purchases.
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According to the LA Times, Blizzard explained in a follow-up email that the “vast majority” of players do not spend money on the game, but would not share any specific details. Ybarra seems to suggest that this is a feature and not a mistake, but let’s be clear: if this game stops accumulating millions of dollars, Blizzard is unlikely to keep it without the goodness of its heart.
Of course, while many players (including myself) continue to play and enjoy Diablo Immortal, there is no denying that it is possible to spend a lot of money on it if you want to get to the top of the leaderboards and / or want to get there. the most. take out your character’s computer or stats. Blizzard doesn’t seem to have created any real protection to save people from sinking thousands of dollars into gambling to get high-end jewelry, and with the game’s abysmal drop rates, it can become a dangerous situation for people who don’t they can be controlled.
According to what Ybarra has said and how much money Immortal brings in daily, it seems very unlikely that the game will change soon to address the concerns players have with him and his economy.
Many gamers are now worried about what to expect from the big entry in next year’s series, Diablo IV. According to Blizzard, it will be nothing like Immortal and will only include “cosmetic” microtransactions, but even that might seem too much to some observers.