Well that didn't take long: Diablo 4 is coming to Steam
www.pcgamer.com
Just four months after release, Blizzard is bringing Big Red to the big platform.
  • ezures
    2·
    9 months ago

    Battlepasses are usually an another progression system with time limited skins and rewards. Usually a season last a couple of months, then a new one starts with new progression and rewards. Sometimes there are events tied to a season.

    In theory, it means the game always gets updates, but in actuality its ripping off players for like a handful of skins (theres a lot of filler in most of them), while getting them to play the game more because of fomo.

    Also sometimes you can earn back the price back in in-game currency, so if you keep maxing them out its “free” after the first one.

      • kafei@mtgzone.comEnglish
        3·
        9 months ago

        Battle passes yes. Often battle passes will have a free progression tier and a paid one. But seasons are often just made so people have an incentive to come back to the game. In the case of diablo3 and path of exile for example a new season will mark a new patch that changes game mechanics (buff certain builds, Nerf others or through new items enable builds that weren’t possible before). To play a season you have to start a new character so that gives you the incentive to try a new build which Poe has plenty of. Seasons will also introduce a mechanic only available in the season that make playing it feel unique and different. Season mechanics often require a lot of Dev work and are free to play but sometimes come with a season pass (that is optional )or the developer just hopes you buy some cosmetics while playing.

        • bug@lemmy.oneEnglish
          1·
          9 months ago

          I guess it makes complete sense for these “live service” games, but it’s so weird to me that the game itself changes and you lose access to something you might already have paid for!

          • kafei@mtgzone.comEnglish
            1·
            9 months ago

            I’ve never seen games where you lose access to something you’ve already paid for. But I don’t play that many games so it might just be ignorance on my part. In poe you always have access to all the things you’ve paid for. Season characters become normal characters after the season ends and can be progressed normally afterwards. If you’re referring to the season mechanic that is only available during the season well if you had to pay for that it’s a clear contract. It’s like renting a movie you can only watch said movie for a limited time. It creates an urgency and forces you to play during said season that’s true. I guess this comes down to everyone’s opinion because developers are very open how seasons work so it’s something you like or you don’t. But there’s no scam involved.