It costs $110k to fully gear up in Diablo Immortal (gamerant.com)

Article summary

Diablo Immortal, a free-to-play game, has a microtransaction model that allows players to buy Legendary Gems, which are essential for endgame progression. According to calculations, fully gearing up a character can cost around $110,000. The game's monetization system has been criticized for being exploitative, with some arguing that it targets players with addictive tendencies. The game's developer, Activision Blizzard, has not commented on the criticism.

Main themes

• microtransactions
• game monetization
• addiction
• exploitation
• gaming industry
• player responsibility
• game design
• social impact

What commenters say

• Some players argue that the game can be enjoyed without spending a lot of money, but others claim that competitive play requires significant financial investment.
• The game's monetization model is seen as exploitative, targeting players with addictive tendencies and encouraging them to spend large amounts of money.
• Others argue that players are responsible for their own spending habits and that the game does not force anyone to make purchases.
• Some commenters draw parallels between the game's monetization model and real-world casinos, suggesting that both exploit people's addictive behaviors.
• A few commenters suggest that the game's business model is designed to extract money from whales, who are often people with addictive tendencies or those who are wealthy enough to spend large amounts of money.
• There is disagreement about whether the game's monetization model is fair and whether it is acceptable to design games that encourage players to spend large amounts of money.
• Some argue that the game's design is intentionally convoluted to encourage players to spend money, while others see it as a legitimate way to support the game's development.
• A few commenters express concern about the impact of such games on society, particularly on children and vulnerable individuals.