Drawing from the lessons learned from Diablo 3’s troubled launch in 2012, Blizzard aims to ensure a seamless player experience across all platforms from day one. Diablo 4 general manager, Rod Fergusson, emphasized the team’s readiness in the recent Server Slam open beta.
Diablo 4 is slated for release on June 6 on PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, and PS4. Players who have pre-purchased the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions will gain early access from June 1 at 4 pm PST / 7 pm EST (June 2 at 12am BST).
“The playtests have paid off,” said Fergusson in a recent interview with GamesRadar. Reflecting on the success of the Server Slam open beta, Fergusson expressed optimism about the state of the game’s servers, highlighting the valuable insights gleaned from the stress tests conducted before launch.
Fergusson likened the launch of a live-service game to opening an amusement park. No matter how prepared they are, the developers can’t replicate the experience of millions of players connecting simultaneously. However, he assured fans Blizzard had done its best to ensure a smooth launch day.
“We’ve done the work, and we’ve done a lot of testing, so we’re prepared,” Fergusson stated confidently. Acknowledging the possibility of bumps, he added, “It might be a little bumpy on the first day, but our hopes are that, like we did on those weekends, we learn and adapt.”
With Diablo 4, Blizzard departs from the staggered regional releases of yesteryears to a simultaneous worldwide launch, adding a new layer of complexity to their efforts.
The developer team’s dedication to providing an improved launch experience signals their understanding of the importance of a smooth launch to player retention and the game’s overall success. Despite their confidence, they’re preparing for the worst-case scenarios.
