Blizzard’s Diablo 4 Model Reveals How It’s a Call of Duty Clone in Monetizing Content

Call of Duty has been an iconic saga for years now. The action series has kept the gamers across the globe impressed with most of its entries that usually end up receiving great reactions. While the IP has amassed a huge popularity for its various installments, it’s also attracted a lot of criticism in recent years due to the business model implemented by Activision. Especially since the launch of 2019’s rebooted Modern Warfare.

Well now, it looks like another famous franchise under the publisher has taken a leaf out of Call of Duty’s book regarding monetizing in-game items. It’s none other than the fan-favorite Diablo saga. Recently, it witnessed a brand new entry from developer Blizzard Entertainment.

Is Diablo 4 going the Call of Duty route of monetizing in-game content?

Well the simple answer to this question is yes. It becomes quite evident by looking at how Blizzard has introduced its strategies for the roadmap of Diablo 4 going forward. Just like most of the recent COD offerings, it is also available for a premium price of $70 (just for the standard edition).

Furthermore, it has also got a Battle Pass, available for $10, which is again similar to Call of Duty’s current installment Modern Warfare II. That entry from Activision also offers a lower priced Battle Pass alongside an exclusive Black Cell bundle for $30.

“There are three versions of the Battle Pass available. The Free Battle Pass, simply called Battle Pass, the Premium Battle Pass, which will cost 1,000 Platinum (equivalent of $9.99 USD), and the Accelerated Battle Pass, which includes all perks of the Premium Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, a special Cosmetic, and will cost 2,800 Platinum (equivalent of $24.99 USD)”, reads an official Diablo 4 blog from developer Blizzard.

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And of course, Diablo 4 also features many cosmetics. They are available from $8 to a whopping amount of $28. While Call of Duty franchise has got COD Points, Blizzard’s title also features an in-game currency called Platinum. For comparison, Activision’s titles give players 1,100 CP for $9.99. On the other hand, the newest Diablo provides 1,000 Platinum for $9.99.

Seems like Blizzard has decided to fully imitate COD franchise when it comes to having a business model. However, the developer has clarified that Diablo 4’s cosmetics don’t give any kind of advantages to the players who pay for the armors and other items. And that they are only there to offer a variety for changing a character’s appearance.

Call of Duty has made a lot of money (and is still making with Modern Warfare II bundles) due to the approach used by Activision. That must have been a key reason behind Blizzard being told to execute it for their game as well. There’s no doubt that despite the costly prices of its cosmetics, many players will end up purchasing them in order to flaunt their character’s upgrades.

Source: Blizzard Entertainment

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