Diablo IV is once again under fire, but not for its demon-slaying gameplay. This time, Blizzard’s latest Berserk-themed cosmetic bundle-priced at nearly €150-has players and influencers alike fuming and reigniting a fierce debate on the spiraling costs of microtransactions in AAA games. What’s actually in the bundle, and why has it sparked such outrage? Here’s what’s going down in Sanctuary, and why the community isn’t letting this one slide.
Blizzard’s bold move arrives just as Diablo IV tries to win back players with a recalibrated Season 4 and the upcoming Vessel of Hatred expansion. But the good vibes took a hit when the new Berserk bundle dropped. For €150, players get a collection of purely visual items—think exclusive mounts, weapon skins, and flashy new effects. That’s it: no story, no new dungeons, no gameplay perks—just eye candy for your digital demon hunter.
For context, the base game and its upcoming expansion together cost about €70—less than half the price of the Berserk bundle’s collective offerings. That price tag hasn’t gone unnoticed. Social media and forums like Reddit are ablaze with criticism, with some fans calling the bundle “utterly disconnected from reality” and questioning whether these prices signal a new low for AAA game monetisation.
The uproar isn’t limited to fans. Influencers, streamers, and gaming personalities are chiming in, warning that the industry’s “microtransactions” are hardly micro anymore. The prevailing sentiment: if you pay full price for a game, why should you be asked to fork over more—sometimes even more than the game itself—for non-essential digital trinkets? Many argue these cosmetic rewards should be unlocked through playing, not through premium bundles that could easily dent a monthly gaming budget.
It’s a familiar storm for Blizzard, which has faced past criticism for in-game shops and aggressive pop-ups. Yet, this latest pricing controversy stands out for its scale: €150 for cosmetics, in a climate where players already pay steep entry fees. So far, Blizzard has remained silent amid the backlash, but the tension spotlights a growing rift between player expectations and publisher monetisation strategies.
As more fans question the value proposition, this debate could shape the future of AAA pricing models. Diablo IV’s Berserk bundle may be flashy, but its reception is a stark warning: the line between optional cosmetics and exploitative monetisation has rarely looked so thin.
For now, the ball is in Blizzard’s court. Will they reconsider their approach, or is this the new normal for digital loot? Either way, the Diablo community won’t be putting down their pitchforks anytime soon.
TL;DR: Diablo IV fans are slamming Blizzard for a Berserk-themed cosmetic bundle priced at €150—almost double the cost of the game plus its expansion. The controversy has reignited debate on microtransactions in premium games, with many arguing that such content should be earned through play, not steep purchases. Blizzard has yet to respond to the mounting criticism.
Source: Blizzard Entertainment via GamesPress