Blizzard Announces Open Diablo 4 Open Beta, Expanding Access and Polish
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed an open beta for Diablo 4, inviting players around the world to jump in. The beta is designed to be accessible to everyone, providing a hands-on look at the game’s early journey and new refinements before the full launch.
The beta period is scheduled from May 12 to May 14. Players will progress beyond the prologue, explore the first act, confront the boss Ashava, and encounter the latest gameplay improvements. In this build, developers have sharpened the user interface with clearer fonts, streamlined dungeon encounters, and tuned balance to improve the overall flow of combat and exploration. The team emphasizes that these updates aim to create a smoother, more engaging early game experience while keeping core progression intact.
Rewards from the previous beta, which some players did not receive, will be reissued in this iteration. Upon reaching level 20, participants can unlock a special backpack featuring a wolf cub companion and a unique Ashava-slayer tool, rewarding dedicated play and testing participation. These rewards are designed to acknowledge testers who helped surface issues and provided feedback during the early access window.
The stated objective of the beta is to stress-test server stability and capacity ahead of the official release date. Diablo 4 is targeting a simultaneous launch on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on an upcoming date in early summer. The beta is part of Blizzard’s preparation to ensure a smooth day-one experience across platforms and regions.
Regarding regional access, it is anticipated that Russian players may encounter restrictions, potentially requiring creation of foreign accounts to participate. Blizzard has not announced any separate regional enrollment for this test, and players should consult official guidance as the beta window approaches. (Source: Blizzard Entertainment)
Separately, in the world of ongoing game development, recent discussions around the anti-cheat stance and launcher security for other titles have underscored how studios handle data security and pre-release testing. In a related note, an early look at a different project, STALKER 2, drew attention after a launcher leak. Developers addressed the incident and reassured fans about their approach to leaks and upcoming updates. (Source: company statements and interviews)