If there’s any game that may be able to compete with Hogwarts Legacy sales in 2023, it could be Diablo 4, especially if the game actually is good as it looks. It’s currently slated for a June 6 release, barring any delays, even as Blizzard sort of continues to seem on fire internally, with workers and management clashing all under the specter of the looming Microsoft deal.

But Diablo 4 feels like the lone bright spot in Blizzard’s line-up at the moment (sorry Overwatch 2), and ahead of release, we have betas to play so we can experience the game for ourselves. There’s a closed, pre-order only beta, and then an everyone beta later. The beta dates that have just been released are:

• Early Access: March 17-19
• Open Beta: March 24-26

You need to fully pre-purchase the game for the Early Access beta. Here’s how to get into that once you do, via the Blizzard page:

• Go to diablo.com/beta and log in or create your Battle.net account.
• Enter your code and select your gaming platform and region (if applicable) from the drop-down menu.
• Be sure to check your selections before clicking the Redeem button.
• A success page will confirm that your code was valid and claimed to the account.
• For PC players, your account will be flagged for access right away.
• For console players, a platform-specific code to download the Beta will be emailed to the address associated with your Battle.net account closer to the start of Early Access.

As for the Open Beta it’s…an open beta, no code required, so you’ll just be able to download the beta on the platform of your choice and log in to play.

What does the Diablo 4 beta include? That would the Prologue and the whole of Act 1 of the game. The first zone, Fractured Peaks, is fully accessible for the beta. You can take your character to a max level of 25 for the beta. I am not a hundred percent sure of all classes are accessible or just a few. Or if your character progress will carry over, but my guess is no, given the amount of changes the game is likely to go through between beta (including from some feedback there) and release four months later.

I am still not going to rule out Diablo 4 potentially being delayed out of June 6. Blizzard has an absolute ton riding on getting this right, and they do not want another mangled Diablo 3 Error 37 launch on their hands. I guess that’s partially what the beta is trying to head off, but I’m just saying, huge games like this usually see a lot of delays. Diablo 4 was already delayed once, but we’ll see what happens. Regardless, I’m really looking forward to finally jumping in.

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