Posted on Jun 29, 2022
Hot new video game 'Diablo: Immortal' sparks controversy over its business model
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Diablo fans have battled demonic legions and plundered rare treasures since the original game hit shelves in 1996. But now, many are rallying against the latest title, Diablo: Immortal.
The Netherlands and Belgium have gone so far as to ban the newest iteration of the game entirely, released earlier this month, for allegedly exploiting players to keep them hooked and spending money. Though the game can be downloaded for free, users can pay to improve their odds of scoring valuable loot. One streamer spent more than $15,000 in an effort to obtain just one of the game’s most desirable items.
“Even the original creators of Diablo have compared the game to a slot machine,” says Polygon senior games editor Maddy Myers. “But when you add micro-transactions to the equation, you get that slot machine effect in a much more literal way. That's the piece of it that I think may have upset some officials in the Netherlands and Belgium.”
The Netherlands and Belgium have gone so far as to ban the newest iteration of the game entirely, released earlier this month, for allegedly exploiting players to keep them hooked and spending money. Though the game can be downloaded for free, users can pay to improve their odds of scoring valuable loot. One streamer spent more than $15,000 in an effort to obtain just one of the game’s most desirable items.
“Even the original creators of Diablo have compared the game to a slot machine,” says Polygon senior games editor Maddy Myers. “But when you add micro-transactions to the equation, you get that slot machine effect in a much more literal way. That's the piece of it that I think may have upset some officials in the Netherlands and Belgium.”
Hot new video game 'Diablo: Immortal' sparks controversy over its business model
Posted from wbur.org
Video Games
Netherlands
Belgium
Money
Business
Edited 2 y ago
Posted 2 y ago
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It has been calculated that it would cost 100k-110k to fully upgrade a character in the game.
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Good article. Video games have changed over the decades. Instead of being stand alone interactive entertainment, they have changed to competitive structure where advancement is from buying bonus instead of playing game.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
"Did DeSantis have any private conversations with Justice Thomas?
Helen Aguirre Ferré, the executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, told Politico, “I can’t speak about any private conversations Governor DeSantis may or may not have had with anyone but both he and Justice Thomas believe in the separation of powers and defend individual liberty, the law and the Constitution as written.”
"Did DeSantis have any private conversations with Justice Thomas?
Helen Aguirre Ferré, the executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, told Politico, “I can’t speak about any private conversations Governor DeSantis may or may not have had with anyone but both he and Justice Thomas believe in the separation of powers and defend individual liberty, the law and the Constitution as written.”
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