You'll be able to try out Diablo 2: Resurrected for yourself in the very near future, Blizzard has confirmed. Two different betas will be taking place this month, both on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
The first beta kicks off this very weekend, starting from the 13th August. However, only those who have pre-ordered Diablo 2: Resurrected will be able to take part. It begins at 10AM PDT — that's 6PM BST — and it runs until the end of the weekend.
The second beta is open to everyone — all you'll need to do is download it from the PlayStation Store. Again, it's a weekend gig, running from the 20th August at 10AM PDT.
So what's actually in these betas? Well, you'll have access to all of the game's character classes: Paladin, Druid, Barbarian, Amazon, and Sorceress. It'll only feature the first two story acts, but there's no level cap. This means that you can try out different builds for each class, and see what they're all about.
Oh, and both betas will allow up to eight players to band together, both in co-op and PvP.
Of course, it wouldn't be right to cover anything Blizzard without bringing up the company's current situation. As you may have heard, Blizzard is embroiled in a lawsuit over workplace harassment. Many of the accusations levelled at senior figures within the company are serious.
The ongoing investigation, and employee protests, have rightly cast a shadow over Blizzard's recent operations — including the upcoming release of Diablo 2: Resurrected.
Will you be taking on the Diablo 2: Resurrected beta? Prepare for hell in the comments section below.
Comments 31
Care about the game not the unproven law suit !
@Repo_Dog your total lack of empathy is pretty sad.
The "unproven" lawsuit is based on 2 YEARS of investigations. Blizzard knows they need to do better. They more or less acknowledged the issue.
~~~
Personally, I'll hold off giving money to Blizzard until I am confident things are going better for real.
I am cautiously optimistic that the new co-CEOs will make things better. But it won't happen overnight.
I like how Asmongold puts it:
"To know that the hours of enjoyment you’ve shared over the years were at the expense of real lives, in such a despicable way, diminishes that enjoyment"
@jipiboily can't agree more.
Removed - flaming/arguing
@Repo_Dog We're not talking about "childish BS".
I highly encourage you to read the lawsuit and think about females you care about: https://aboutblaw.com/YJw
It's 29-page long. But you can start on page 11.
We're talking about a bunch of massive issues, including sexual harassment that even led to suicide in one instance.
I'm not asking you to boycott or whatnot, but please don't call that "childish BS".
@lolwhatno pfp?
@Repo_Dog
I gave Blizzard the benefit of the doubt at first but after more and more evidence came out and Blizzard tried harder and harder to bury it, and top people started quitting, it became all the more apparent that they were guilty. I'm sorry but you have to be blind at this point to not see that harassment went on in there. At this point you're the one who is behaving childish, only caring about the game and not the employees who made it. They all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and I hope this is a wake up call to the entire game industry.
They won't be getting any money from me. Well done to the employees for taking a stand against such awful behaviour.
On the one hand I don't want to give a company like this my money, but on the other hand if everyone took that approach it's the good folk making the game who will be hurt. It's hard to know what to do.
@Shepherd_Tallon
Can't say I've ever gone along with that line of logic. And it's worth remembering those good folk are being hurt by the company already.
@jipiboily I do think Asmongold's takes on the situation have been very good, he's brought up some great points. Very measured assessment of what's been going on and what it means to be a fan of Blizzard.
Don't support blizzard. Corporations are driven by profits. Change will only happen if we force them to. Its sad cause I was looking forward to this.
Going to be really interesting to see how this does commercially. I'm not interested in playing this as I've never been a fan of Blizzard's work but I'm curious to see if the latest blunder the company has made has any real impact this time. I still can't believe they got away with the Blitzchung Hong Kong supporter debacle.
@Repo_Dog I'm so glad that the multi-billion dollar company that abuses their employees has someone like you to defend them. I heard they were crying into their money before you came along.
@Repo_Dog I care about the woman who committed suïcide because of this horrible company so ill wait.
@Shepherd_Tallon If we go this route we can close out eyes for everything.
nah ill save my precious time for when DIABLO 4 releases... hell's yes I can't wait and I have store credit to gobble this upcoming gem up!
Go Blizz!
@Flaming_Kaiser @LieutenantFatman
It's not about closing your eyes to the problem though. I'm not trying to argue with either of you btw. I'm just trying to analyse what the best way to proceed is.
@SplooshDmg Exactly this. If everyone boycotts the game it's the ordinary workers who will be hurt with layoffs when sales targets are missed.
The worst case scenario for that Kotick scumbag is the investors who actually care somehow get him to step-down, then he gets a helicopter to his yacht and has a bit of a sulk over not having any more of those bonuses that you or I could live on for years.
Still, I'm not sure if I can bring myself to touch a blizzard product until we see something happen.
@SplooshDmg I think what you just said there just about sums it up my thoughts on it all too.
It's a bloody rotten scenario whatever way you look at it though. I'm sure everyone can agree on that much.
The people we are trying to upset are actually not the executives. They don't care about anything but money... While it may seem as though they are untouchable though, they certainly are not. We're not targeting the company. We're targeting the investors.
If THEY see that the company they are investing in is hemorrhaging money, naturally they will do whatever steps necessary to make sure it stops. If it means firing Bobby, they're just about the only people who can manage it. Kotick is not untouchable and if under his leadership they continue to suffer from reports like this and lose more sponsors, even he'll risk being on the chopping block.
A pack of greedy vultures will gladly toss one under the bus if it means the rest get to keep their money.
@SplooshDmg You are right just look away dont act and everything will be alright. But if their products dont sell he will gone really fast especially when the public voices their dismay.
@SplooshDmg Considering that the developers there are the ones that were brave enough to step up and come forward, they knew full well the risks of publicly speaking about this. This isn't about "virtue signaling" this isn't about getting internet points. This is about making sure that working conditions improve for the developers there. It's about stopping the suffering in silence. It's about setting a precedent so that other Developers treat their employees with decency and respect.
And if you want an example, it's time to make one...and it's working well with Blizzard. The people that need to leave are leaving and the people that need to be let go are being let go. The victims wouldn't have taken the first step coming forward if they weren't prepared to walk the whole way, they deserve our support by making sure the swamp at Activision Blizzard is drained at last.
@SplooshDmg I doubt they'd be fired the moment they get what they want. With all this "unorganized" boycotting going on all eyes are on them. The lawsuits look nasty but without all the backlash I doubt Activision/Blizzard would actually bleed as hard as they are. That's what they pay their lawyers for...but they can't do anything in the court of public opinion. Without public outrage, things get swept under rug. People get off scott free. The outrage will keep the employees safe too. Imagine the bad press hearing that Blizzard has to let go of employees... while Bobby gets another fat check. All eyes are on them now, every move. The same "angry mob" that is attacking Blizzard will be the ones to keep them safe as well... because they can't hide anything in the shadows anymore. This sort of reaction is what's needed so we actually see change for once.
@SplooshDmg You mean the part where they cant pay for lunch in the cafetaria or the abuse.
Nothing changes even with the massive profits. Mister Bobby Kotick will get his bonus even if he has to fire a few hundred people.
When they boast about the biggest profit ever people still get fired so i dont believe anything will ever change if you keep buying their games. I believe mister Kotick even fired those people to hit his target.
Im certain mister Kotick will get problems if their games stop selling and with a massive public outcry it will be even better. Ubisoft is the exact same it may be a good thing if some companies get into big problems to shake up the industry for once.
Those labor laws dont do ***** if you are terrified to say something because you have a parttime job. We have labor laws here to but we also know as temps they dont have to fire you just dont renew your contract.
Commenting on the unproven lawsuit is just a very cheap thing to do..we all know whats going on and sites such as this which i have a lot of respect for most of the time reminds me that even some of you are not beyond trying to be controversial...stick to reporting on the games please and stop being douche bags....
I would like to add i think whats going on is a horrid situation for all involved and i hope it works out well...
Actually initially thought , cool will try that. Then remembered it’s Blizzard, nope, sorry. I know not supporting the game seems like it will hurt the devs, but when else would Blizzard ever take note if their bottom line isn’t hit.
Well I’m buying the game, been looking forward to this since announcement
I've been saying f*ck Activision/Blizzard for years. Not just since the lawsuit.
@jipiboily
Yeah people give Asmongold crap, some of which is totally deserved, but he has some of the best commentary on all things Blizzard of anyone out there.
Personally I’ll continue to play Diablo/ WoW Classic knowing my money will inevitably end up with those who were hurt, and so the work they did while being harassed was not in vain.
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