Diablo 4 beta release dates and how to preload

Looking for the Diablo 4 beta release date? Well, you’re in luck, because the early access period for the Diablo 4 beta is live now. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a code to play just yet though, as next weekend, the beta will be live for everyone to download. These beta weekends will give players a chance to see both early, and end-game content of Diablo 4.

The full Diablo 4 release date has been confirmed for June 2023, but before it lands in our demon-slaying laps, Blizzard has announced the plans for the beta with players who pre-order the game to get early access to the beta. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Diablo 4 beta release date, how to sign up for the closed beta, what the beta will contain, and more.

Diablo 4 beta release date

The Diablo 4 early access closed beta is March 17-19, and is underway already. The gameplay period will end at 12pm PST / 3pm EST / 8pm GMT / 9PM CEST on March 9. This early access period will be available to players who have pre-ordered the game ahead of its June 6 release date. The closed beta test is now available to download ahead of time on Battle.Net, provided you have an eligible code. You can find out how by checking the open beta early download section.

Players will only be able to play three of the five classes: Barbarian, Sorceress, and Rogue. The other two classes (Druid and Necromancer) will become available during the open beta.

In a developer update, Blizzard outlined the steps players could take to try and secure themselves an invite to the beta. Unfortunately, the closed beta detailed that these steps needed to be followed by October 11th, meaning it’s too late if you’re reading this now.

They added that if you had not received an email invite to the Diablo 4 closed beta by November 18th then you have not been selected to participate. So, to speculate on the closed beta release date, we’d say it’s imminent.

Players were also previously given the chance to gain access to the closed beta at the Diablo Hell’s Ink tour, where anyone willing to get a free Diablo flash tattoo would also be given a card granting them “early access to upcoming beta”. The tour ran from July 16 – September 10, but there’s currently been no news yet from anyone who took part in the event.

Diablo 4 open beta preload

To get slaying as soon as possible, you’ll want to download the Diablo 4 beta as soon as possible. Thankfully, there is an early download, or preload period for both beta weekends.

The closed beta preload begins March 15 at 9am PST / 12pm EST / 4pm GMT / 6PM CEST.

The open beta preload begins March 22 at 9am PST / 12pm EST / 4pm GMT / 6PM CEST.

To download the Diablo 4 beta early:

• Launch the Battle.net client.
• For the closed beta, click your profile icon and select the option “Redeem a code”. Enter the code as provided and the Diablo 4 beta game page should appear.
• For the open beta, head to the All Games tab, and Diablo 4 will be at the top of the list.
• On the Diablo 4 game page, click the dropdown menu and ensure the game version is Diablo IV – Beta. The blue button that says ‘Install’ should now appear, so click it to install.
• Once the game is installed and available, you can click ‘Play’ to play.

Diablo 4 beta content

Speaking at IGN Fan Fest, game director Joe Shely announced that players taking part in the early access beta period will be able to access everything in the prologue and act one, including the campaign missions and all side quests. You’ll also be able to reach level 25 – a quarter of the way to the Diablo 4 level cap.

A previous closed beta invited players to “test Diablo 4’s robust end-game offerings using specific gameplay data.” Diablo 4’s general manager Rod Fergusson and game director Joe Shely also released an update video in September outlining exactly what players could look forward to from the closed beta.

Reiterating the fact that the closed beta will focus on the end-game, Rod revealed the reason for focusing on what happens after the epic campaign is, “ensuring Sanctuary is an exciting place to slay demons long after the campaign is over.”

The closed beta will focus on content including Nightmare Dungeons, Whispers of the Dead, Fields of Hatred, Paragon Boards, and the game’s newest feature, Helltide. They added, “Specifically, we’ll be using gameplay data to invite a limited number of Diablo players who have recently spent significant amounts of time playing the end-game experiences of Diablo II: Resurrected, Diablo III, and Diablo Immortal.”

So, unless you’ve played many of the past Diablo games, it’s unlikely you’ll get invited to test out the end-game just yet.

Diablo 4 beta rewards

For participating in the beta, players can earn three different rewards. Thankfully they’re relatively easy to obtain and will carry over to the full game.

The Diablo 4 beta rewards are as follows:

• ‘Initial Casualty’ title: Reach Kyovashad
• ‘Early Voyager’ title: Hit level 20
• ‘Beta Wolf Pack’ cosmetic reward: Get one character up to level 20

Diablo 4 open beta release date

The Diablo 4 open beta is March 24-26. Anyone will be able to play this version, and players who took part in the first beta weekend will see their character progress carried over to the open beta.

Players can expect access to the same range of content in the open beta, meaning you’ll be able to reach level 25, explore the game’s full prologue and first act, and see all the early campaign missions and side quests contained within those sections. You’ll also be able to take on a new world boss, too.

That’s everything we know about the Diablo 4 beta testing phases. In the meantime, why not check out our guide to the best games like Diablo on PC to bridge the gap between now and Diablo 4’s eventual release? Alternatively, get yourself caught up on all of the Diablo 4 classes so you know which one you’re going to pick when the big day rolls around.

Diablo 4 beta release dates and how to preload
Source: Maharot News