There are few things as iconic to the hack-and-slash genre as memorable deaths, in hardcore or otherwise, andDiablo 4is offering its players the unique opportunity to be eulogized by a Hollywood celebrity. A contrast betweenZelda: Tears of the KingdomandDiablo 4, it cannot be disputed that Blizzard has invested a ton of resources into marketing its latest title, and thus far it’s emerged as an insanely successful business decision. The Early Access forDiablo 4was played by millions of people, with millions more joining the fray for the game’s full launch.WhileDiablo 4is breaking Blizzard records, its commercial and critical success is highlighted by a strong foundation for future updates as it hopes to deliver the definitive experience in the world of Sanctuary. Unlike its predecessor,Diablo 4’s shortcomings have been lesser in scope, and following the recent string of controversies that Blizzard Entertainment has found itself under, its release was just what the company needed to get back on track.RELATED:Diablo 4 Disables Its Hardest ChallengeAmusingly enough, the latest marketing promotion forDiablo 4isn’t food related, but rather concerns a famous Hollywood actress. Until June 8, players will be able to submit theirDiablo 4death videos on Twitter and TikTok using the hashtag #DiabloDeaths for a chance to have their eulogy read by Megan Fox, known for her role as Mikaela Banes in theTransformersfranchise. Given that Blizzard hasn’t specified if the deaths are meant to be from Hardcore characters only, it can safely be assumed that both Softcore and Hardcore submissions are eligible.
Perhaps one of the most impressive feats of Early Access belongs to cArn, who managed to become thefirst player to hit Level 100 inDiablo 4on Hardcore mode. Though fans have argued that paying more money gave competitors an unfair advantage in the World First race, the reality is that serious participants were happy to purchase the premium versions ofDiablo 4to maximize their odds. The launch ofDiablo 4’s inaugural season will happen simultaneously, granting all players an equal footing in the next World First race, which is certain to feature countless memorable deaths on the road to Level 100 – albeit likely without the voice of Megan Fox.
As for the future of the game, Blizzard has already announced thatat least two expansions forDiablo 4are being worked on. Though very few details are known about them at the time, the ending ofDiablo 4points in the direction of a rather familiar foe in equally familiar lands. With games such asLast EpochandPath of Exile 2set to launch later in the year,Diablo 4sets the stage early for a renaissance of the hack-and-slash genre.
Diablo 4is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
